Obituary of Lois E. Johnson

Lois Elaine (DeSart) Johnson Lois E Johnson, formerly of Sioux Falls, died peacefully Monday, May 4, 2009 at the University Hospitals in Iowa City, IA. She was born April 5, 1929 to Wayne and Alice (Miller) DeSart in Rock County, Jasper, MN. She graduated from Jasper High School in 1947. After graduation she attended college in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She continued her education and graduated with a BS degree in 1960 from General Beadle Teacher’s College, Madison, SD. Later, in 1972, she earned her MA in Teaching from Augustana College, Sioux Falls. She attended the University of South Dakota for Administrative Credentials in 1977. Lois was a beloved teacher and principal at various schools throughout South Dakota and Minnesota including: District 41, Jasper, Rutland, Winfred, General Beadle and Robert Frost. She was assistant Principal of Cleveland Elementary, Principal of Mark Twain Elementary and finished her career as Principal at Oscar Howe in Sioux Falls in 1991. Lois married Ralph W. Johnson on June 15, 1996 in Iowa City, Iowa. They made their home at Leisure World in Mesa, Arizona. In 2005 they moved to Iowa City to be closer to family. They resided at Oaknoll Retirement Residence. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Ralph, sisters Billie (Milton) Kindt, Jasper, MN and Betty (Dale) Mattson, Detroit Lakes, MN and their families. Preceding her in death are her son, Dennis “Craig” Pederson, husband, Bill Lampkin, and her parents. Memorial Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Sat., May 9, at the Jasper United Methodist Church, Jasper, MN. A second memorial service will be held at Oaknoll at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to The Banquet www.thebanquetsf.org. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is assisting Lois’s family with her arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com.