Ione Shirley (Tonderum) Johnson, the daughter of Margen and Isabella (Clemitson) Tonderum, was born December 30, 1931, at home in Ruthven, Iowa. She passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville, at the age of 93 years.
A visitation was held Monday, April 14, 2025, from 6-8pm, at the Henry Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville. Funeral services were held at 10:30am, on Tuesday, April 15, at the Estherville Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Johnson officiating. She was laid to rest at the Estherville Lutheran Cemetery in Estherville, Iowa.
Ione received her education in country schools, graduating from Graettinger High School. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Lost Island Lutheran Church.
On March 17, 1951, she was united in marriage to Bill Johnson. The couple made their home in Estherville where they raised their family and Ione worked at the Emmet County Farm Bureau Office for 28 years. In 1998, the couple moved to Spirit Lake on East Okoboji Lake. In her leisure time, Ione enjoyed walking, golfing, boating, camping, reading, puzzle books, and making quilts. Most important to Ione was spending time with family and friends. Ione worked with Bill on finishing the interiors of both the Estherville and Spirit Lake homes. She moved to Good Samaritan in Estherville in 2021 after suffering a stroke. One of her last greatest pleasures was spending a week in 2024 with her children, granddaughter and great-granddaughters.
Ione was a member of Estherville Lutheran Church where she served in many capacities. She also was a lifetime auxiliary member of VFW Post 3388 in Estherville.
Left to cherish Ione’s memory are her children, Steven (Steve) Johnson of Estherville; Richard (Rick) Johnson of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Susan (Sue) Johnson of Spirit Lake; one granddaughter, Heather (Eithan) Johnson and three great-granddaughters, Laicie, Courtlynn and Elissa, all of Spokane, Washington; brothers, Gordie (Rosie) Tonderum and Roger (Lynn) Tonderum; sisters-in-law, Judy Tonderum, Sharon (Roger) Neeman and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ione in death were her parents; husband, Bill; mother and father-in-law, Hans and Maude (Rose) Johnson; brothers, Curtis Tonderum, Harlan Tonderum, George Tonderum, Benny Tonderum; sisters, Marian Wilson, Mavis Wilson, Linda Wilson; sisters-in-law, Virginia Tonderum, Evelyn Tonderum, Shirley Tonderum, Claudia Tonderum, Clayta Sheldon, Wilma Johnson; brothers-in-law, Earl Wilson, Marvin Wilson, Raymond Johnson, Deryl (Buck) Johnson, and Vernon Sheldon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Estherville Lutheran Church or St. Croix Hospice.
