Belva Jean (Arnold) Johnson was born Dec. 25, 1934, in Lincoln, to Ross G. and Helen J. (Stephen) Johnson, the youngest of three children and passed away Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at the York General Hearthstone in York at the age of 88.
Belva graduated from Dorchester Public Schools. She was united in marriage to Charley Gilbert Johnson on May 27, 1951, in Beatrice, and to this union, five children were born, Nicky Bryan, Dwayne Stephen, Kim, Brad and Holly. Belva was a cook at Warren Memorial Hospital for three years, worked at the Crete Mills for nine years, Hughes Brothers for three years, and a cook and waitress for many years. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Dorchester for 75 years.
Belva had many hobbies. She loved to decorate and sell cakes, listen to Elvis, paint art, work on puzzles, do needlepoint in the Crete Nursing Home, play cards, and she especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Belva is survived by her sons, Kim (Tereasa) Johnson, York, and Brad Johnson, Dorchester; Daughter, Holly (Dennis) Baber, Wilber; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Helen Arnold; her husband, Charley Johnson; two sons, Nicky Bryan, and Dwayne Stephen; brother, Dale Arnold; and sister, Lois Eret and brother-in-law, Don Eret.
The funeral service was Dec. 11 at the Dorchester United Methodist Church with burial at the Dorchester Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the United Methodist Church in Dorchester. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Friend.
