Sandra Zoe Johnson peacefully passed on December 1, 2023 at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix Arizona after a brief and sudden illness. Services and burial will be at the National Memorial Cemetery spring of 2024, date to be announced.
Sandra was born on January 6, 1937 in Hazleton Iowa to Arthur and Irene Silka. She graduated from Hazleton High School and the University of Dubuque with a BS in Music Education. Sandra enjoyed her 30-year career teaching instrumental music to middle school and high school students in Bloomfield, West Liberty, and Fairfield Iowa. Her passion for music and teaching was reflected in the awards she received: Arion, Educator of the Year, and Teacher Tenure.
Bloomfield Iowa is where she began her teaching career, and it is also where she met her husband Frank Johnson. The two married on December 27, 1959, and remained in IA until they moved to Mesa Arizona in 2000 to enjoy their retirement years.
In addition to teaching, Sandra also shared her musical talents with the Baptist Church, the church was her sanctuary and she worshipped through music. She was the choir director for many years and she sang in a trio named Joy. The trio was very well received and they were invited to other churches throughout Iowa to perform.
For the past five years, Sandra resided at Morning Star Assisted Living in Phoenix AZ. She enjoyed her crafts, bingo, and field trips, but most of all she enjoyed playing bridge. She corralled a group of people into playing bridge with her regularly, and she was known to be a competitive, shrewd player. Sandra’s humor, sharp mind and loving heart allowed her to develop close friendships that she held dear.
Sandra is survived by her three children: Scott (Janine) and children Kayla, Ryan, Hannah, Alexis of Waverly Iowa; Suzie (Sheldon) Hannah and son Aaron of Independence Missouri; Sookie (Jeff) Meyers and daughters Tiana and Hali of Phoenix Arizona, she is survived by many nieces and nephews. Her husband Frank preceded her in death.
Memorials may be made to Operation Smile, https://www.operationsmile.org/ways-give, and Hospice of the Valley, https://hov.org/donate/.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
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