Virginia Johnson

Virginia "Jen" Johnson, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at The Lutheran Home.

Jen was born Nov. 13, 1924, in Cape Girardeau. She was the seventh of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. William Heuschober.

She graduated from Central High School in Cape Girardeau in 1941, plus a year of business college. As a young child, she spent many summers with great-aunts in New Orleans, and in 1942 she moved there. A short failed marriage took her to California. Diana was born of that union.

Jen and Ken married April 5, 1953, and had one son, David. Ken's Air Force career took them all over the United States, and they spent three years in Japan. Jen had her career of 36 years as a statistical clerk with various government agencies and a private industry. Jen felt her travels gave her the real education.

Jen was a busy person: a den mother, mentor in schools, visited nursing homes and was always ready to lend a hand baking, baby sitting and helping Ken when he allowed it. She did arts and crafts and almost daily wrote a letter to keep in touch with their friends of 50 to 60 years. Her goal was to write a book on her life, might shock a few but that's life.

After Ken retired from the Air Force and 10 years with the post office in 1973, Jen decided it was time to quit as well. In 1978 they retired to Texas after 17 years in California. They had 25 wonderful years on their "Funny Farm" until Ken's horrible illness took him in July 2002. Jen moved back to Cape Girardeau in October 2004 to a retirement village. It wasn't home, but a nice place to live out her life. Jen's back injury that came with the move had slowed her down but she didn't give up.

Jen was proud and loved her family, treasured visits and calls. Her loyalty and love for Ken never faltered. She said she was half a person after his death.

Friends have been the mainstay in Jen's life. "They are like stars. You can't always see them, but they are always there," she would say.

Survivors include a son, David C. Johnson of Glendive, Montana; one daughter, Diana Hendrickson of Amelia Island, Florida; a sister, Patricia Hodges of East Prairie, Missouri; three grandchildren, Leslie (Frank) Kratcoski of Libertyville, Illinois, Shelly (Mark) Labay of Las Vegas and Rosa Johnson of Sacramento, California; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, three sisters and two husbands.

Friends may call from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Monday at Cape County Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

Graveside entombment will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Cape County Memorial Park and Mausoleum, with Steve Hodges officiating.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.