Elizabeth Sharon Johnson

Elizabeth Sharon Johnson

Cedar Rapids

Elizabeth Sharon Johnson exited this mortal coil on Christmas Day, 2024, one day before her 82nd birthday.

The last of the five Saller brood who grew up on a working livestock farm just outside of Parnell, Iowa, “Sharon” was the youngest of Pete and Florence Saller’s children. She was the last to venture out into the work world to pursue office administration positions. But she was always one of the first to return for visits back at her hometown of roughly 200.

There, the Sunday kitchen table was often loaded up with big meals: fresh garden vegetables and produce from the farm to nurture Sharon, sisters Phyllis, Kay and Louise, and brother Dick, the oldest. When the tables cleared and the livestock were settled, that kitchen table was apt to erupt in card games like Rummy and Euchre. Father Pete kept the games on pace: “Play, Tan,” he’d often urge one of Phyllis’ daughters, Tana. And you had to keep your eye on Florence — especially when she dealt — as she was known to wink and peek at the card on the bottom of the deck.

Sharon, a tall, lovely and warm woman — and quite a snappy dresser — loved to laugh and joke. She was the last of Pete and Florence’s children to marry, to a Parnell High graduate named Dick Naughton. After a number of years, they divorced.

By the time Sharon met and married Robert W. Johnson, Sharon was established in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sharon and Bob split their time among homes in Cedar Rapids, Florida and a lovely lake cabin on Lake Delhi in Iowa’s Delaware County on the Maquoketa River. Sharon and Bob seemed most at home and in their lake cabin element.

The couple was active, sociable — always fun-loving hosts and many in their extended family were invited to enjoy the Delhi boating and fishing amenities over the years. Under Bob’s coaxing and Sharon’s watchful eye, a great-nephew Michael Ehlert, age 6 at the time, was outfitted with a life jacket and proceeded to bob about near the dock one summer evening for his first foray of ‘swimming.’

Though all the Saller girls and Uncle Dick were revered by over a dozen nieces and nephews, there was a special relationship with Sharon, the youngest and closest in age to the next generation. Aunt Sharon, just 5 to 10 years older than some of her nieces and nephews, was almost like a wizened older sister — a lifetime bond that never waned.

Having visited with Sharon at recent weddings — and some sad funerals — it was a shock to learn of this special aunt’s passing in December. The last of the Sallers, alas, has as they say, ‘Gone on Ahead.’

Sharon is survived by stepchildren Rebecca Johnson and Bradley Johnson.

She was preceded in death by parents Pete and Florence Saller, brother Richard and sisters Phyllis, Kathleen ‘Kay’ and Louise, husband Robert W. Johnson and ex-husband Dick Naughton. A beloved niece, Mary Coffelt Graham, one of Phyllis’ daughters, passed in July of 2022. The rest of that crop of nieces and nephews — and a new generation of great nieces and nephews — thrive from New Jersey to North Carolina, Texas, Colorado and beyond.

Up until the end, Sharon was a pillar at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. A church secretary said Sharon was “very faithful” and often attended daily mass. Sharon was among the first to bring food to share when the call came out for funerals.

Services for Sharon are pending. But in the meantime, memorials in her name may be made to Parish Secretary, St. Pius X Church, 4949 Council St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.