Clareen Lucille Johnston

Our Mother, Clareen Johnston, celebrated her eternal birthday with our Lord, October 30th, 2017. She lived a long, fruitful 82 years of life. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Friday, November 3, 2017 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna. The Rev. John Nelson will officiate. Interment will follow at Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna. Visitation is 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family to be distributed to the Rebekah and Rev. Thomas and Clareen Johnston Memorial Scholarship Endowment and to the Deshler Lutheran School. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services entrusted to the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Clareen was born on December 17th, 1934 in Alexandria, South Dakota to Clarence and Ina Schnarr. After completing high school in Alexandria, she attended cosmetology school. Exerting her passion for beauty, she thrived in the cosmetology industry for several years. On September 1st, 1958, Clareen became the Loving wife of Thomas Johnston, an LCMS minister. She dedicated her life to serving the Lord alongside him- going on church calls with him, working as Church Secretary, Sunday School teacher for High School youth, Choir Director and even spent several years singing in the choir. The joyous love she had for her family and Savior radiated throughout her home, as did her harmonious voice, aroma of her incredibly delicious cooked meals/baked goods, and cheers after every Nebraska Cornhusker score. Clareen enjoyed sharing stories of her childhood, watching sports, and spending time with loved ones. Clareen was preceded in death by her parents - Clarence and Ina Schnarr, daughter Rebekah Clareen Johnston, husband Rev. Thomas Dwyte Johnston, sisters - Sandra Titze, and Beverly Waldron. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters - Elizabeth (Betty) Messing and husband Bruce in Hebron, Nebraska, Deborah Johnston in Rock Hill, South Carolina, grandkids – Cory Dankenbring and wife Sarah, Brooke Fowler and husband Dustin, Trey Johnston, Tarynne Johnston, Alexis Johnston-Norman, and great-grandkids - Kyler Dankenbring, Nolan Dankenbring, Grace Fowler, and Joanna Fowler.

Clareen Lucille Johnston

December 17, 1934 - October 30, 2017