Pearl E. Johnson

West Des Moines

Pearl Elizabeth Johnson, 85, died April 16, 2013 at Fountain West Health Center in West Des Moines. A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2013 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines where family will greet friends for an hour prior to the service.

Pearl was born August 19, 1927 in Absher, Montana, the daughter of George and Amanda M. (Jarnecke) Allen. She attended Lytton Consolidated School and then the University of Iowa Nursing School, graduating in 1949. Pearl was a member of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club and the University of Iowa Alumni Association. She enjoyed golfing, reading and crossword puzzles.

Pearl lived in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids before moving to Des Moines in 1967. She served as a staff and head nurse at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City and as a nurse surveyor for the Nurse Utilization Project and Unit Dose Pharmacy Project at the University of Iowa. She joined the State Health Department as a Nursing Home inspector and later served as the Director of the Health Facilities Division of the Department of Inspections and Appeals.

Pearl is survived by her nephews, David (Rosie) Allen of Pomeroy, IA, Dennis (Jan) Allen of The Colony, TX, Paul (Kathy) Allen of Pomeroy, IA, Bruce (Deb) Allen of Katy, Texas, Mick Allen of Lohrville, IA, and Steve Allen of Defiance, IA; niece, Peggy Allen Else of Galva, IA; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Norman C. Johnson; sister, Violet Allen and three brothers, William, James and George Allen.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Iowa Hospice, 5650 NW Johnston Drive, Suite E., Johnston, Iowa 50131.