Eyvonne Lorraine Johnson was born Dec. 9, 1921, on a farm 3 1/4 miles north of Exeter to Christian Lorenz and Anna Clara (Johnsen) Jensen. She passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Lincoln, at the age of 101 years, 11 months, and 14 days. She was the second of four children.
Eyvonne graduated from Exeter High school with the class of 1939. After high school, she went to work for Dr. Arnot in Exeter for a time, before moving to Lincoln and working for Miller and Paine and Nebraska Farmer. Eyvonne met Arden Johnson and a courtship began. Arden was in the Army and was stationed in Los Angeles, and Eyvonne moved out to join him.
While in Los Angeles, the couple traveled to Las Vegas to marry on Feb. 14, 1942. She accompanied Arden to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she worked for the Veterans Administration. Eyvonne returned to Nebraska while Arden served in the European Theater of World War II. She went to work for Robert's Dairy, before responding to a call from the Airbase in Fairmont, where she took employment processing payroll for the workers until Arden's return in 1945.
After Arden’s service in the Army, the couple moved to the Johnson family farm southwest of Cordova, where they farmed until retirement. After retirement, they moved in to Exeter. Arden passed away Dec, 25, 2002, and Eyvonne remained in her home in Exeter until suffering a fall in October of 2023 which required care in Lincoln.
Eyvonne was an avid fan of Nebraska football and volleyball. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her strawberries, flowers and plants. She also enjoyed birds, especially hummingbirds. She had many close friends in the Exeter community and enjoyed their company.
Eyvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Christian and Anna; husband, Arden; brother-in-law, Gerald Christofferson; sister, Birdean (Jensen) Christofferson; niece, Suzanne J. Christofferson; brother, Delphin Jensen; sister-in-law Elfrieda (Erks) Jensen; brother-in-law, Don Carlson; sister, Lavelle (Jensen) Carlson; brother-in-law, Gordon J. Johnson; and sister-in-law, Pauline (Miller) Johnson.
She is survived by many nieces, nephews and their families.
A funeral service for Eyvonne was Nov. 30, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Exeter. Kim Dunker presided over the Funeral Service. Shirley Milton accompanied the congregation in the singing of “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.” The recorded selections “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “In The Garden” were also played during the service. Pallbearers included Cliff Jensen, Rod Jensen, Steve Jensen, Randy Carlson, Kristy Gerweck, Tom Nebelsick and Nathan Nebelsick. A graveside service was held in the Zastrow Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Exeter American Legion Auxiliary. Arrangements by Farmer & Son Funeral Home.
