Donna L. Johnson

Donna L. Johnson, age 91, of Exira, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the Exira Care Center.

Donna Lou Johnson was born in Audubon County on May 10, 1935 to Max and Martha (Gennerich) Walker. They moved to Adair County in 1942. Donna grew up on a farm near Fontanelle and went to country school and graduated from Greenfield High School. After high school, she attended Barnes School of Cosmetology in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Donna was working in Des Moines and met Jim Johnson while he was a student at Drake University. They were married in 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

They later lived in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania while Jim served as a pharmacist at Valley Forge Army Hospital while in the Army. After his years of service, Donna and Jim moved back to Iowa and lived in Red Oak before moving to Exira and opened Johnson Pharmacy in 1966. Donna and Jim retired in 1999.

Family vacations were a highlight of her life, enjoying yearly 2-week vacations and weekend trips with family. She and Jim traveled to all 50 states and loved the many cruises they took with friends. They also attended football games at Iowa State and University of Iowa, while their children were in college.

As a youth, Donna was active in 4-H and later became a 4-H leader for her girls’ 4-H club. She was also active at Exira Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, serving as treasurer of the women of the church, and was involved with the work group and making quilts.

Donna enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge. Golf was also a favorite hobby of hers. She enjoyed the outdoors and usually had daily walks. Family gatherings were very important to her, and she loved having all the family present and staying for the holidays. It was not uncommon to see her up past midnight playing cards, dominoes, or even “spoons” with her kids and grandkids.

Donna is preceded in death by her Husband, Jim Johnson; Parents, Max and Martha Walker; and Brother, Dale Walker.

Donna is survived by her Children: Brenda (Bill) McAdaragh of Tinley Park, IL, Colette (Ed) Ergenbright of Newton, IA, Laurie Johnson of McAllen, TX, and Jason (Angela) Johnson of Leon, IA; Her grandchildren: Ryan (Ashley) McAdaragh of Milwaukee, WI, Kaitlyn (Frank) McAdaragh Sinclair of Lake in the Hills, IL, Emily Ergenbright of Clive, IA, Allison (Colten) Ergenbright Bennett of Boone, IA, Trevor (Lane) Ergenbright of Des Moines, IA, Sidne Bevan of Des Moines, IA and Rian Bevan, Harrisen Bevan, Ari Johnson, Fremont Bevan, Wallace Bevan, and Elliot Bevan, all of Leon, IA; Her Great-granddaughter, Marlowe McAdaragh of Milwaukee, WI; Her sister-in-law, Pat Walker of Greenfield; nephews and niece, Jeff, Julie, Jerry, and Jay. Sister-in-law Marilee Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, niece Montana Johnson.

The family of Donna Johnson appreciates the many expressions of sympathy and concern.

Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Exira.

Burial will be at the Exira Cemetery at a later date.

The Johnson Family respectfully request no memorials or flowers.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira is assisting with arrangements.