Florence Johnston

KESWICK-Florence (Hummer) Johnston, 90, went to be with the Lord on November 30, 2023, in Keswick, Iowa.  She was born on August 26, 1933, along with her identical twin sister, Fran, to Andrew and Alice (Bender) Hummer in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  Florence spent her youth in both the Davenport, Iowa, and Keswick areas with her sister and parents, Fred and Alice Roth.
After graduating high school from Immaculate Conception Academy, Florence worked as a chief operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Davenport.  It was during these years that she met and married her husband of 62 years, Berl Johnston, on July 29, 1961, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Keswick.  Florence and Berl made Keswick their lifetime home where they raised five children:  Barry, Blake, Brent, Blair, and Deon.

Florence would say her greatest joy in the world was raising her children and she selflessly put her family ahead of everything else. Breaking up fights between her children and providing a holy example for them to follow were her strengths.  Florence enjoyed socializing and did so often with friends during Bridge Club and at coffee groups in Keswick.
When she finished raising her children with Berl, the two of them spent their time hibernating during the cold Iowa winters in St. Cloud, Florida.  Florence would say her second greatest joy in the world was spending time soaking up the sun with her toes in the sand while cherishing life’s many blessings.

Florence is survived by her husband, Berl, and children; Barry (Nancy) Johnston of Union, Missouri; Blake (Karen) Johnston of Urbandale, Iowa; Brent (Suzanne) Johnston of Cincinnati, Ohio; Blair (Jenny) Johnston of Waukee, Iowa; and Deon Horn (Johnston) of St. Cloud, Florida.  She is also survived by and blessed with nine grandchildren and many step-grand/great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, twin sister, and son-in-law James Faron Horn.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney, with Rev. Robert Lathrop officiating.  Burial will be at a later date at Sorden Cemetery near Webster.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2023, at Powell Funeral Home in Sigourney, where there will be a vigil service and rosary at 6:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be made in Florence’s memory to the causes established by Essence of Life Hospice in Amana, Iowa.  Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Florence and her family.  Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.