Henrietta “Retta” Joan Johnson, 77, of Burnside, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at the Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois surrounded by her significant other and children.

 

Henrietta was born February 21, 1944, in Burlington IA, the daughter of Henry and Loyce (Gracey) Thomson. She was a 1962 graduate of the final graduating class of Sperry, IA High School. She was united in marriage to Donald L. Johnson December 29, 1962, at Grace Methodist Church, in Burlington, IA. He preceded her in death on January 13, 1990.

 

One of Henrietta’s proudest achievements was when she and her husband, Donald, began their business together, Pilot Grove Welding, where she was currently serving as president and co-owner operating the business until her death with partner, Dale Snyder. She previously owned and operated a small Grocery Store in Burnside, had worked as a Meter Reader for the Western Illinois Electric Co-Op for many years and attended Carl Sandburg College taking various business courses.

 

Henrietta was a member of Burnside Methodist Church.  She enjoyed cooking, reading, researching family genealogy, gardening, feeding and watching birds in her back yard, keeping up with the latest technology and feeling the comfort of her special dog “Baby”.  One of Henrietta’s most favorite pastimes was visiting Antique stores near and far with Dale, which she often referred to as “junking” where she would find special treasures for herself and her loved ones.  Henrietta enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, teaching them about and giving each of them special memories of her very wide variety of animals on her farm.

 

Survivors include her significant other of several years: Clarence Dale Snyder; four children: Daniel (Ronda) Johnson of Burnside, Eric (Brandi) Johnson of Carthage, Illinois, Julie (Brent) Lance of Wentzville, Missouri and Sherri (Tom) Main of Carthage, Illinois; sixteen grandchildren: Alexsandra Gagnon, Travis, Amanda, Ethan (Karly) and Brady Johnson, Erin (Zane) Schmudlach, Kendra and Nicholas Johnson, Brent Lance Jr., Alexandra (Ryan) Brown, Sydney (Caleb) Fricano, Olivia and Brendan Lance, Carly Louden, Reece and McKenna Main and nine great-grandchildren; Nathaniel, Rosalie, Hunter, August, Jimmy, Caleb, Eloise, Tucker and James. Also surviving are five brothers, one sister and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Donald; one brother: Michael Thomson; one daughter-in-law: Shannon Johnson; one half brother: Henry Junior Thomson and two half sisters: Marion Maddox and Mildred Krieger.

 

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 11, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, IL with Mark Hanson officiating. Burial will follow at Pilot Grove Township Cemetery, near Burnside.

 

Friends may call after 12:00 noon, Sunday, October 10th at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, IL where the family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.

 

A memorial fund has been established for the Pilot Grove Township Cemetery. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Henrietta’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.