Sam Edwin Johnson

Sam Edwin Johnson, 91, passed away to be with his Lord on February 10, 2022. A visitation will be held on Monday, February 21, at Ankeny Christian Church from 9 to 11 AM. A service will follow the visitation. Burial will take place at the Iowa Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines, IA.

Sam was born to William Wirt and Mary (Garrett) Johnson on May 17, 1930, in Lyon, MS. He attended Blytheville High School in Blytheville, AR, and graduated in 1948. Sam also attended Drake University in Des Moines, IA. Sam was a veteran of the United States Army between 1955 and 1957. Sam’s early career was in accounting, where he served as Chief Accountant-Controller for the Weitz Company and its subsidiary. He later entered healthcare administration for the Calvin Community in Des Moines, followed by Ridgecrest Village in Davenport, IA. Sam served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for the Iowa Association of Homes for the Aging.

Sam was a faithful member of Union Park United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Saint John’s United Methodist Church in Davenport, and most recently Ankeny Christian Church, where he always volunteered and was eager to serve his church family. Additionally, he volunteered at food banks, read to children in the Davenport Community Schools and visited elderly nursing home/church members including serving communion and sharing recorded church services.

Sam’s personal interests included sharing experiences with his children and grandchildren, golfing, tennis, and gardening. In his later years he was an avid reader and enjoyed long walks and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Sam is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Johnson; and sisters, Maude (Johnson) Smart and Betty (Johnson) Budvarson.

Sam is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nona “Frances” Johnson; brother, William W. Johnson; children, Kathy Johnson, Teresa (Phillip) Yetter, and William “Craig” (Gail) Johnson; and grandchildren, Marissa Yetter, Kevin Yetter, and Jordyne Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, Sam’s family suggests memorial contributions for the Ankeny Christian Church (https://www.accdoc.org/) or the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/).