Shirley A. Johnson

Shirley A. Johnson, 89, of Pocahontas, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society-Manson, Manson, Iowa.

Shirley Ann Gilleland was born on January 22, 1936, in Pocahontas, Iowa, to Elwood and Mildred (Ollinger) Gilleland. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic grade school and high school in Pocahontas and was united in marriage to Darrell A. Johnson in 1953. The couple settled in Pocahontas, where Shirley dedicated her career to Pocahontas Area Schools' hot lunch program. Over 42 years she played a vital role in the district, spending most of her tenure as the Food Services Director before retiring.

In addition to her role at the school, Shirley also worked three nights a week as a waitress at the Pine Room, which later became the Chow House and then the Chateau. She retired from being a waitress with over 35 years of service.

In her free time, Shirley enjoyed searching for antiques, at garage sales, auctions, and flea markets. With her expert knowledge in antiques, she would carefully select valuable items for resale to a network of dealers she had cultivated over the years.

A devoted member of the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church in Pocahontas, Shirley was active in the local chapter of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Red Hats, and the Garden Club. She was passionate about her faith and community, and she cherished the many friendships she made through these organizations.

Shirley is survived by her three daughters: Teresa (John) Hesser of Virginia Beach, VA; Cynthia (Dave) Himlie of Fort Collins, CO; and Elaine (Randy) Johnson of Waterloo. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Landon (Jessica) Freeburg, Tyler (Tracy) Freeburg, Collin (Morgan) Freeburg, Jordan Himlie, Wyatt Johnson, MacKenzie (Mark) Blessington, Spencer (Shelby) Johnson, Jenny (Randy) Hajduk, and Mike (Abby) Himlie; 18 great-grandchildren; and her brother-in-law, Dan Schueller of Willows, CA.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Elwood and Mildred Gilleland; her husband, Darrell; and three siblings: Denny Gilleland, Verlene Schueller, and Neil Gilleland.