Margaret Ellen Johnson was born Jan. 30, 1924, to Carl and Anne (Ruddy) Jensen in Lyons. She passed away July 29, 2017, at Neligh Care and Rehabilitation Center in Neligh, Ne., at the age of 93 years.

Margaret grew up on the family farm northeast of Lyons, attending rural elementary school. She graduated from Blackbird High School, a rural high school near her home, in 1941. She then attended college for one year at Wayne State College and one year at Midland Lutheran College, earning a teaching certificate. She taught elementary school, first at rural schools in Burt County, and later at Pender Public Schools.

On Sept. 23, 1950, Margaret married Chester Johnson at Westside Methodist Church in rural Oakland. They made their home at the Johnson family farm in Cuming County. They were blessed with two children, Sheila and Richard.

Margaret was a homemaker, raising chickens and tending a large garden in addition to her flower gardens. After their children were grown, she worked as a substitute teacher in Cuming County rural schools. She also enjoyed being a member of an extension club and quilt guild.

After living on the farm for 51 years, Margaret and Chester moved to Lyons in 2001. They became members of the First Presbyterian Church. In 2008 Margaret moved to Neligh to reside in an assisted living facility. She moved to Neligh Care and Rehabilitation Center in 2011.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Chester in 2006.

She is survived by her daughter, Sheila (Tom) Parks of Neligh; son Richard (Linda) Johnson of Oakland; grandchildren Aaron (Sara) Parks, Amber (Jordan) Paden, Christal (Chris) Witthuhn, Alexis Johnson; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials to family for future designation.

Published in the Norfolk Daily News on July 31, 2017.