Evelyn Beatrice Holm Johnson went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ and to be reunited with her beloved husband, Kenny, on March 24, 2018.
Born in Minneapolis, MN on May 22, 1919, to Olga Julia and Andrew Holm, Evelyn graduated from South High School and worked for Frigidaire Corporation. She met Kenneth Johnson in the youth group of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Together they served in numerous leadership positions in both the church and the YMCA. Evelyn served as director of the church’s Vacation Bible School and president of the women’s ministry. Her warm-hearted hospitality was appreciated by many who enjoyed coming to their home for Koinonia (small group Bible studies) and also by numerous exchange students. Even with five children, she found room to house students from Holland, Germany, Ceylon, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, and other countries. She and Kenny desired to serve the Lord through many avenues, demonstrating to their family the vitality they had in living out their Christian faith.
After Kenny’s retirement the couple retired to Safety Harbor, Florida. They continued their leadership skills in offering Bible studies and worship services in the retirement community of Amber Glades. They were an inspiration to many as they served faithfully, caring for Evelyn’s older sister Esther and her husband Bill as their health problems increased.
Kenny and Evelyn moved to Franklin, TN twelve years ago to be close to their four daughters and many grandchildren, all of whom had relocated to Tennessee. They became members of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. After Kenny’s death Evelyn used her passion for reading as a “librarian” to her many friends at Steeple Chase Manor, loaning out inspirational novels and other materials. Her grandchildren remember her as a wonderful role model and prayer warrior.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her two brothers, Harry Holmes and Capt. Stanley Holm, and sister Esther Anderson, and her beloved husband Kenneth George Johnson.
Survivors include four daughters, Meredith Frantz, Marilyn (Gene) Cotton, Wendy (Dr. Henry) Williams, and Sally (Rogers) Morrison, son Thom (Julie) Johnson, ten granddaughters, seven grandsons, and 27 great-grandchildren.
The Service of Worship and Remembrance will be held April 4 at 4 pm at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Franklin, Tennessee.
The family will receive friends on the same date from 3 to 4 pm.
Memorial gifts may be made to Food for the Hungry (fh.org) or Lutheran World Relief.