Anna Lou Johnson

Anna Lou Johnson, 89, of Coon Rapids, passed away January 25, 2017 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. Visitation is from 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Church. Burial will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Conroy, Iowa. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is assisting the family.
Anna Lou Olson, the daughter of Herman and Luella (Engelbert) Olson, was born August 13, 1927 at Williamsburg, Iowa. Following the death of her mother, Anna Lou was raised by her grandparents and received her education at Conroy, graduating from Conroy High School with the class of 1945. She then attended the University of Iowa, graduating and receiving her teaching degree in 1950. She began her teaching career at Eagle Grove Community College in Eagle Grove, Iowa before moving to St. Ansgar. She was united in marriage to Merlin Johnson in 1952 and in 1954, the couple settled in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Mr. Johnson passed away in 1963 and Anna Lou continued to maintain her home in Coon Rapids where she faithfully served the Coon Rapids School District until her retirement in 1993.
Anna Lou was a member of the Coon Rapids United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities. For 40 years, she served as the Business Teacher for Coon Rapids High School where she also headed the National Honor Society and coordinated graduation ceremonies for 59 years. She had a life long love of music and especially enjoyed participating in the University of Iowa Marching and Concert bands. She was a long time member of PEO and the Sew And So’s sewing group. She often said her heart belonged to her schoolwork and her students.
Anna Lou is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlin; brothers, Louis, Robert, Russell, Gene, and Max Olson; and sisters, Winifred Van Oel and Evelyn Davies. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Dagny Isberg and Juanita Olson; and 13 nieces and nephews.