A Memorial service for 94- year-old, Zelma Johnson of Tucson, AZ will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Tucson Mountain Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4729 N. Silverbell Road, Tucson, AZ. Times are 1:00 p.m.-Tucson Mtn Time, 3:00 p.m.-Central, or 4:00 p.m.-Eastern. For those who would like to attend on ZOOM or have questions, you may contact Brian Phillips via email [email protected].
Zelma Mae Johnson passed away peacefully Thursday, March 30, 2023, at her family’s home in Parkville, MO under the care of her family and hospice.
Zelma was born October 26, 1928 to Wilhelm and Mabel “Dorothy” (Brain) Erps in Guthrie County, Iowa.
Zelma spent her early years growing up on a farm in Bagley, Iowa. She married Glen Marion Johnson on October 15, 1949, in Newton, Iowa.
They had three children: Kristine, Rodney and Kurt, and raised them in Des Moines, Iowa until 1969. Then they moved to La Paz, Bolivia to serve in a volunteer ministry work. They returned to the states in 1972 and moved to Tucson, AZ.
Zelma was baptized as a one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, on June 27, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was best known for her zeal and passion to teach others about the Bible, and this love was shown in the way shared in the full-time service for more than 60 years. Zelma’s compassion to help others, moved her to share Kingdom truths in four languages: English, Spanish, Sign Language and Vietnamese.
Zelma enjoyed traveling to Germany, Romania, and at the age of 88 returned to Bolivia for an international convention.
She loved to cook and bake for others. Everyone lit up when they knew Zelma was going to cook or share a meal with them. Her homemade bread, cakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls were “The Best!” She also loved to sew and make quilts. She always had flowers around her house and enjoyed raising cockatiels.
Zelma was preceded in death by her husband Glen Johnson, her father Wilhelm Erps, her mother Mabel “Dorothy” Erps and a brother Jerry Erps.
Zelma is survived by her sister Marjorie Richards and husband Bud Richards of Jacksonville, TX; her three children: Kristine Stapley and husband Bruce Stapley of Tucson, AZ; Rodney Johnson and wife Vicki Johnson of Parkville, MO; Kurt Johnson and wife Lisa Johnson of Savage, MN. Along with eight grandchildren: Melissa; Heather; Sarah; Michelle; Rachel; Gregory; Sage and Ezekiel; eight great grandchildren: Sophia; Max; Benjamin; Malia; Theodora; Raquel; Roman; and Vivian.
The Johnsons wish to thank all of our family and friends, along with the NorthCare Hospice Team of Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care; especially her Nurse Case Manager, Shawna Langdell and Nurses Aid, Audean for their tender care of Zelma during her final months. A special thank you to Zelma’s primary physician Dr. Andrew Jurgensmeier of Meritas for all his care and compassion for Zelma. Memories of Zelma and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
Right. I’m very sorry about the loss of your mother. But we have a hope of seeing her again very soon.
Glenn and Zelma were both so special. They helped to raise my boys’ father we he was young in Tucson. Her husband, GLENN, performed my marriage to my 1st husband and my boys father, Brad Bestol., in Tempe AZ Nov 1980.
Just yesterday I came upon a baby quilt Zelma had made for our first child. My thoughts go out to her family.
Springfield MO