Leola Rose Johnson

Leola R. Johnson, 64 of Mitchell, NE, formerly of Grand Island died Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the Mitchell Care Center in Mitchell.

Services will be at 1 pm on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island with Derek Apfel officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Cairo. Visitation will be on Friday evening from 4 to 7 pm at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.

Leola was born on January 23, 1950 in Shelton, the daughter of Carl and Rosa (Brayton) Neemann. She grew up in Shelton and graduated from Shelton High School in 1968.

Leola was united in marriage to Vernon Johnson Sr. on July 4, 1968 at Kearney. The couple lived first in Wood River, later moving to Grand Island. Leola worked at Village Inn and also at the Conoco Caf in Grand Island. For the past 25 years she worked as a domestic engineer.

Leola enjoyed cross stitching, playing bingo and especially her time spent with her grandchildren.

Leola is survived by two sons, Vernon Johnson Jr. of Palmer and Carl (Elaine) Johnson of Ft. Benning, GA; two daughters, Katrina (Darrel) Johnson of Loup City, and Buffy (Silvestre) Lara-Juarez of Scottsbluff, her granddaughter Chrissy Johnson, whom Leola raised, 14 other grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, three sisters, Shirley Sallinger of Grand Island, Ilene Journey of Kearney, and Doris Beck of Friend.

Leola was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, two sisters, Charlotte and Delores, two brothers, Henry and Harold; and two granddaughters, Sheona and Rocelea.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome