Dorothy Johnson

Dorothy Ann Johnson, the daughter of George and Hazel (nee: Miller) Compton, was born January 29, 1927 in Stuart, Iowa. She was raised in Stuart. While growing up, she enjoyed playing basketball and roller skating. Dorothy also enjoyed learning to play the piano, dancing and riding bike. A “big deal” to Dorothy was the ringing of the Victory Bell in the Stuart school yard. The bell would be rung following school activities or special events. For many summers Dorothy would stay with her Grandma Miller on her farm north of Stuart (near Panora) helping with the home, baking pies, sweeping the porch, mowing with the “push mower”, and just daily life-activities. A special memory of Dorothy’s was riding the train one summer with her sister, Betty, to Sun City, Idaho to visit relatives. Dorothy worked as a telephone switch board operator in Stuart. To this very day she could recall every business’ three digit phone number. She would also work at her dad’s business in Stuart buying and loading hogs. She met her husband, William C. Johnson, while in school and they later married in a double-ring ceremony along with Bill’s sister and brother-in-law, on January 2, 1950, at All Saint’s Catholic Church in Stuart. Together they made their home on a farm south of Stuart. In the spring of 1954 they moved southeast of Winterset to their first farm. Dorothy was never idle, always busy working & raising children, dressing chickens, gardening, and helping with the hogs and cattle. Dorothy was a member in the V.F.W. Woman’s Auxiliary. On Friday afternoon, October 8, 2010, with her children at her side, Dorothy died peacefully at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She lived 83 years, 8 months and 9 days. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Bill in September 1996; a daughter, Bonnie Moore, and a granddaughter, Krista Hamilton, both in January 2010. Also preceded in death by her siblings, Clara Maye Compton, Bob Compton, and Betty Bonner. Dorothy is survived by her loving children Ben Johnson (Terri) of Winterset, Susan Hamilton (Ed) of Peru, Randal Johnson (Judy) of Winterset, Gloria Stadtlander (Kip) of Van Meter, and Sandy Johnson of Winterset; a son-in-law, David Moore of Boone; 9 grandchildren, Sheryl, Ashley, Shelby, Frank, Jesse, RC, Luke, Amanda, and Colby; 7 great-grandchildren, James, Paige, Joseph, Jaxson, Michael, Cameron, and Katlyn; siblings, Sybil Antram of Muscatine, IA; and Ben (Josette) Compton of Bedford, TX. Friends may call beginning at 4 p.m., Monday, October 11th with visitation with the family 6 to 8 p.m. at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare in Winterset. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 12th at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Stuart, Iowa. Memorials in Dorothy’s name, to be used at the discretion of the family, will be appreciated.