Shirley Mae Johnson

Shirley M. Johnson, age 81, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society in Grand Island. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M., Thursday, May 25 at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary Chapel. Rev. Bill Stearns will officiate. Interment will be in the Phillips Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Shirley Mae Johnson, the daughter of Charles and Georgia (Krepel) Jares, was born at St. Paul, NE on January 21, 1942, and died at Grand Island, Nebraska, on May 20, 2023 at the age of 81. Shirley grew up in the St. Paul area where she attended school, graduating from St. Paul High School. Following high school, she attended Cosmetology School and worked as a cosmetologist until her marriage when she farmed alongside her husband. Shirley was united in marriage to Rodney Alden Johnson on September 22, 1963 at St. Paul, Nebraska. Following their marriage they moved to Phillips where they owned Arrow J Farms. To this union 3 children were born, Randy, Russell, and Kathy. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage. Rodney died on September 6, 2014. She loved gardening and caring for her various fruit trees. She had a variety of poultry including chickens, ducks, and geese. She especially loved her dog Paisley. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family, her grandkids and great-grandkids and attending their activities. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Those who remain to cherish her memory are her sons Randy Johnson of Aurora and Russell Johnson of Phillips; daughter, Kathy (Jeff) Cast of Beaver Crossing; grandchildren & great-grandchildren include Jacalyn and Grant Johnson; Raymond (Anna) Johnson & Abby & Everett; Amanda (Caleb) Stearns & Ian, Lenora, & Denrik; Elizabeth (Cole) Jones & Holden; Andrew (Sydney) Cast & Cutter; Caleb (Hannah) Cast & Blakely; Lilly and Erika Cast; sisters Darlene Reif of Dannebrog and Elaine (August) Peters of Wood River; brother Donald (Elberta) Jares of Kearney; many other family and friends who will cherish her memory.