Ethel Mae Johnson

Ethel Mae Johnson, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Friday, December 30, 2022, at Howard County Medical Center, in St. Paul, Nebraska.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2023; at the United Methodist Church in Greeley, Nebraska. Pastor Arsene Lumami and Pastor Drew Rousu will officiate. Burial will be in the Greeley Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Family.

Ethel Mae was born on November 9, 1926, on the family farm in the Amity Community of Greeley County to Francis and Maye (Pogue) Wagner. Ethel Mae was raised on farms in Greeley County, attending rural country school and graduating from Greeley High School in 1944. Ethel Mae then taught at various rural schools throughout Greeley County and Greeley Public Schools until retiring in 1997. Among the students she taught were her sisters, Iris, Ardis, and Judy, and cousins, Alberta and Myrtle. Ethel Mae had a love for education and a special place in her heart for all her students, of which several have said they would not have graduated without her.

Ethel Mae married the love of her life, Marvin Johnson, on March 24, 1951. They lived in Scotia until 1957 when they moved to a farm in the Fish Creek community. They moved to a farm northwest of Greeley in 1962 and moved into Greeley in 1989. Ethel Mae and Marvin had a daughter, Joyce Johnson whom they both cherished more than life. Ethel Mae was another "mom" and "grandma" to many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and others over the years. Ethel Mae lived in Greeley until moving to St. Paul with her granddaughter's family in 2014.

Ethel Mae enjoyed spending time with her family and loved her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's events, reading, working puzzles, chocolate and coffee. Ethel Mae loved to chase her grandchildren and great-grandchildren around to pick on them. Ethel Mae was always happy, never knew a stranger, and had zero modesty. Ethel Mae loved to be stubborn and do things on her terms, especially when her family and doctors told her not to. Ethel Mae passes on her love of education, family, sense of humor, stubbornness, and orneriness to all her loved ones.

Ethel Mae is survived by her daughter; Joyce Johnson of Greeley, NE; 5 grandchildren, Michael Furgison of Holdrege, NE, Jeremy Furgison (Christine) of Hot Springs, AR, Nekita Powell (Adam) of St. Paul, NE, Megan Welch (Jeremy) of Fullerton, NE, and Amber Smith (Taylor) of Fullerton, NE; 16 great-grandchildren; Briana, Brendan, Shelby, McKenzie, Caisen, Teja, Nevaeh, Brooklynn, Addisyn, Liam, Tristan, Morrison, Ezekiel, Edward, Rachel, and Roselynn; granddaughter, Sheila Furgison of Cozad, NE; sister, Judith Nicholson of Lincoln, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ethel Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Maye Wagner; husband, Marvin Johnson; siblings, Ruth, Jean, Jesse, Iris, Doris, and Ardis; and a nephew, Dan Johnson.