Mary Elizabeth Johnson Saathoff, 92, of West Burlington, died Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born Sept. 17, 1931, in Mount Pleasant, she was the daughter of Royal Frank and Chrystal Helen Gauss Bonar. On Nov. 25, 1948, she married Leroy L. Johnson. He preceded her in death on Feb. 25, 1967. On Aug. 3, 1975, she married Gilbert Allen Saathoff in Burlington. He also preceded her in death on April 6, 1991.
Mary worked in the drafting department of General Electric from 1967 until she retired in 1993.
Mary had a love for painting, especially painting with oils. When she was not busy with her paintings, she could be found watching television or spending time with her friends and family. Friends and family were a large part of Mary's life. Mary was very nurturing with her family, and this carried over into her role as a Sunday school teacher. It was not uncommon to witness Mary breaking out in song randomly in her retirement home. These are all qualities her family will dearly miss.
Survivors include daughter, Karen Jo (Larry) Johnson of Burlington, son, Kevin (Cathy) Johnson of Ankeny, grandchildren; Kevin Blake Johnson, Colin Keith Johnson, Paige Cathryn (Liv) Billings, great-grandchildren; Conner Johnson, Pyper Timmerman, Cora Johnson, Jaxon Billings, Lukas Billings, Ella Billings, step-daughter, Karen Walter, step-daughter, Gretchen Saathoff, step-daughter, Marilyn Saathoff, step-daughter, Marlene Saathoff, step-son, Dan Saathoff, and several nieces and nephews.
Besides both former husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, one step-son; John Saathoff, three brothers; Melford Bonar, Ivan Bonar, and Robert Bonar, and one nephew, Mike Bonar.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory, and a graveside service will be at a later date.