Irene Johnson

Born September 10,1932, in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of the late Marion Macklem, and was raised with the loving assistance of her grandfather and grandmother, John and Mary Skinner also from Michigan. Irene Johnson was the loving, devoted, and faithful wife of Claude G. Johnson whom she married in 1956 and shared 29 years of marriage before he passed at an early age in 1985. Claude was the love of her life and she was an incredibly devoted wife and mother. Following his death, Irene made a conscious decision not to remarry as she felt that Claude was truly her soulmate and she was devoted to only one man. She would, however, occasionally joke that she just didn’t want to break in another husband!

Irene loved the simple and traditional things in life like writing letters and cards, watching the birds and squirrels, knitting, crocheting, working jigsaw puzzles and watching the Orioles games on TV. She saw great importance of family and friends and always had a compassionate ear and a helping hand for those who needed it.

She loved to spend time with her family and friends and was the glue that held her family together! Irene loved her Lord and Savior Jesus and had a faith that was so straightforward and simple with a great trust and love of God which showed in her every day life. She put no real importance in material things. As a matter of fact, her children learned as adults to be careful about telling her that they liked something in her home. If they did they would usually receive it in the mail within a couple of weeks. She was consistently selfless and generous in all that she did!

As a Marylander for the past twenty one years Irene has enjoyed her wonderful friends and activities at the Florence Bain Senior Center in Columbia participating actively with Bible study, the knitting group, and making baby blankets for newborns at Howard County General Hospital.

Irene is survived by a son, Mark Johnson of Austintown, Ohio, a son Dr. Brian Johnson and his wife Peggy of Oklahoma City, OK, a daughter, Kimberly Edwards and her husband Albert of Columbia, MD; a daughter Dawn Beals and her husband David of Carlisle, OH; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Gordy Macklem of Wadena, MN and Gary Macklem of Croswell, MI.

Irene lived a long and full life that was full of love, laughter, and devotion and generosity that is best ended by what she surely heard as she entered God’s glory: “Well done, good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:23.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Final arrangements will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene’s name to the Moore Faith Medical Clinic at 224 S. Chestnut Ave., Moore, OK 73160 (www.moorefaithclinic.com).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Johnson family.