Mina Jean Johnson

Mina Jean Johnson

Mina Jean Johnson, 84, Topeka, died Monday, November 7, 2016, at Aldersgate Village, Topeka. She was born March 5, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Otis Meredith and May Eleanora (Murphy) Johnson.

Mina graduated from Wyandotte High School (1950); and the Johnson School of Business in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Washburn University in Topeka, and Allen County Community College in Iola. While attending Washburn she met her future husband and love of her life, Wendell.

She assisted her husband as he served the Kansas East Conference of the United Methodist Church at Euclid Church (Topeka), Seventh Street Methodist (Kansas City, Kansas), Eureka, Yates Center, Faith (Parsons), and Kansas Avenue (Topeka). Mina worked at the Kansas Industrial Development Commission; was an activity director at Autumn Manor Nursing Home in Yates Center, director of the Adult Day Care Center in Parsons, and in Topeka worked for Hallmark Cards and the Kansas Guardianship Program. Her most rewarding career was being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She currently was a member of University United Methodist Church, Sherman Chapter # 8, O.E.S., and Helena Chapter # 210, O.E.S.

Mina was married to the Reverend Wendell Russell Johnson on October 22, 1953, in Kansas City, Kansas. He preceded her in death on May 25, 2011. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Johnson, on August 22, 1956; her parents; and a brother, Ronald Johnson.

Surviving are five children: Jennifer Johnson of Topeka, JoBeth Minks (Dan) of Gilbert, AZ, Jill Cobb (Perry) of Olathe, Lt. Col. JonRobert Johnson of Alexandria, VA, and Dr. Jeffery Johnson (Dr. Lindy) of Oxford, MS; eleven grandchildren: Cassandra Johnson, Emily Minks Booth (Dennis), Danny Grant Minks, Ashley Minks, Harrison Cobb (Megan), Bradford Cobb, Jackson Cobb, Sydney Cobb, Madison Johnson, Kaitlyn Johnson, and Jordyn Johnson; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, Friday, November 11, 2016, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka followed by Eastern Star Services conducted by Helena Chapter # 210, O.E.S. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, 3616 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka.

Mina will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Thursday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to University United Methodist Church, 1621 SW. College, Topeka, KS 66604-2798 or Shriners Hospital Travel Fund c/o Arab Shriners, 1305 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612-1332.