Mildred J. (Rubesh) Johnson

Mildred J. Johnson, 94 of St. Paul, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022 with her family by her side at Brookefield Park in St. Paul, NE.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Dr. Jim Keck and the Rev. Lisa Ewald will officiate.  Interment will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation is 5:00-7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul.  Face coverings are required for both the funeral and visitation.  Memorials are suggested to the Howard County Medical Center Foundation, First Presbyterian Church of St. Paul or family choice.

Mildred Joyce, the fourth of five children, was born April 24, 1927 to Paul and Tena (Jacobs) Rubesh on the family farm in rural Howard County, NE.  Mildred attended Bunker Hill School and graduated in 1946 from St. Paul Public High School.  She attended Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, OR.

Mildred’s musical talents were rooted in childhood and cultivated at home and in church.  Mildred often reflected of a sibling instrumental and vocal trio for which she chorded on piano. She also chorded for her father, Paul, while he played violin.  The Rubesh family dance band provided Saturday evening entertainment.  With limited formal music instruction, her self-taught musical talents grew through high school and college.

Mildred married Burt Johnson on October 20, 1948, in St. Paul where they lived their entire lives.  Mildred and Burt owned and operated the Johnson Variety Store on Main Street for many years. Their children; Ron, Monty, Jon, and Sonia all grew up in, and graduated from, St. Paul High School.

For most of her life, Mildred was a faithful organist at the First Presbyterian Church.  She played the organ, and occasionally sang, for many, many funerals in the area. To a lesser degree she also played for weddings.  She especially enjoyed honoring requests to travel and provide her musical gifts for family weddings.  She was an 81-year member of the First Presbyterian Church and a 47-year member of Chapter AP P.E.O. Mildred served as den mother for her sons’ cub scouts den and was a member of the Firemen’s Auxiliary while Burt served on the Fire Department.  She enjoyed traveling, especially with, or to visit, family.  Mildred also enjoyed gardening and needlework.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children and their spouses, Ron and Kathy Johnson of North Platte, NE, Monty and Peggy Johnson of Lincoln, NE, and Sonia and Kevin Harford of Lincoln, NE; daughter-in-law, Jill Johnson of Lincoln, NE; 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Don Johnson of Fort Collins, CO; sister-in-law, Virginia Rubesh of Redmond, OR; family friend, Judy Johnson of St. Paul, NE; special cousins; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Tena Rubesh; husband, Burt; son, Jon; granddaughter, Lauren Johnson; brothers, Clinton Rubesh and Don Rubesh; and sisters, Arlene Rubesh Wiley and Charlotta Rubesh Bloomquist.

Mildred was a servant of God and neighbor.