Lois Peterson Johnson

Lois (Peterson) Johnson 97, of Hartmann Village in Boonville, MO, died August 22, 2019 in Boonville.

Lois was born on April 21, 1922 to Rev Hammond I Peterson and Eunice M (Sawyer) Peterson in Bloomingdale NJ.  Lois graduated from Portland High School in Portland, Maine and was a graduate of Colby College in Waterville ME, class of 1944. In 1945 she met and married her husband of 65 years, Edward Johnson, a member of the Navy Band stationed in Portland.  

In the years following WWII Ed and Lois raised their family in Indiana, Michigan, and, Maine. After Ed’s retirement from the University of Maine they moved to Charlottesville VA where they lived for over 20 years and led an active life.  In 2010 they moved to Hartmann Village in Boonville Missouri to be near family.

After their children were grown Lois and Ed traveled extensively throughout the United States and extended their travels to overseas locations, visiting western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Central America, and Asia.

Lois enjoyed handwork. She made quilts completely by hand that are cherished by the family.  Lois knit lovely sweaters, scarves, baby clothes, and toys for family members, and hats for premature babies that were donated to hospitals.

With a Minister for a father, Lois was raised in the church and remained a faithful church member her entire life. Her knowledge of hymns was awe inspiring.  Lois served on church committees, taught vacation bible school and always lent her lovely alto voice to the choir. Music was an important part of Lois’s life.  She sang in church choirs for over 70 years including being an active member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ choir at the time of her death.

Fun facts about Lois Johnson: 1. As a child of the depression and WWII rationing, Lois was very frugal.  She saved and reused plastic margarine containers, aluminum foil and (a source of great mirth to the family), butter wrappers (used to grease baking pans.)  2. The three oldest children vividly remember having to line up and take a dose of castor oil during their elementary school years.  Lois always denied that ever happened. 3. Lois loved reading and trips to the local library.  She kept a dog-eared notebook listing all the books she read.  Lois often remarked that she wished she could just move her bed into the library. 4. At age 97, Lois still faithfully reconciled her checkbook monthly, doing all the calculations by hand.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Ed, her parents, her two brothers: Kenneth and Philip, and infant son Philip Garfield (Peegee).  Lois is survived by her children Steve Johnson (Pat) of Durham NC, Carol Cox (Ron) of Boonville, MO, Bob Johnson (Debra) of Bonita Springs, FL, and Maggie Schalch (James Curtis) of Alexandria, VA, twelve grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, one soon to be born great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and their children.

In order to get a geographically scattered family together, a memorial service will be held in early spring of 2020.

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