Vera Karen (Laursen) Johnson

     Vera Karen (Laursen) Johnson, the daughter of John and Metta (Andersen) Laursen, was born on April 3, 1933, in Cass County, Iowa.   She was raised and educated in the area of her birth attending Pymosa Township Country Schools and graduating from Atlantic High School in 1951.  She then attended Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI), where she earned her teaching certificate and taught school for a few years before getting married. 

     Vera was united in marriage with Curtiss M. Johnson on January 30, 1955, at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church, in Audubon County, Iowa.  They made their home and farmed west of Eagle Grove and enjoyed 39 years of marriage.  Curtiss preceded her in death on September 20, 1994.

     Vera was a very active lifelong Lutheran Church member – serving the church in numerous capacities.  She was also an active community volunteer, including 4-H, delivering Meals On Wheels and supporting non-profit organizations and was a member of Equality Club, American Sewing Guild, Danish Brotherhood, Eastern Star and Ruffles & Spurs Square Dancing Club.  Vera enjoyed sewing, quilting, traveling, cooking, history, reading and learning.

        Vera passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2018, at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale, Iowa at the age of 85 years.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Metta Laursen and brother, Marvin Laursen. 

       Vera is survived by her children: Carl Johnson (Cheryl) of Eagle Grove, Kristin Waugh (Doug) of Earlham, and Rosanne Brown (Roger) of Des Moines; 7 grandchildren: Allison and Andrew Waugh, Diane Forbes (Travis), Linda Brown (Greg Bulleit), Kevin Kendrick, Kirk Kendrick and Michelle Walters (Mike); 4 great-grandchildren: Clara, Tyler, Olivia and Ada; 1 great-great-grandson, Wyatt; brothers, Verner Laursen (Barbara) of Appleton, WI, and Paul Laursen (Carol) of Crawfordsville, IN; sister, Esther Haahr (Lowell) of Newell; sister-in-law, Janet Wollenhaupt of Des Moines, and numerous nieces and nephews.

     Visitation will be held 2:00 - 4:00 PM Sunday at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove, IA. A graveside service will be held 9:30 AM Monday at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove, and a memorial service to celebrate her life will be held 4:00 PM Monday at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive. 

    Memorials may be left to your favorite non-profit organization that you may have in common with Vera. 

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