Johanna T. 'Jo' Morgan

Johanna Katrina Thiessen Morgan, 90, of Mason City, passed away on March 10, 2011, at Good Shepherd Health Center. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011, 1:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 119 South Georgia Ave., with Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Charles H. MacNider Museum, First United Methodist Church, or Hospice of North Iowa.

Johanna died as she had lived: with grace, dignity, and kindness towards others. She had time to say goodbye to her loving extended family, her friends and neighbors, and the skillful staff at Good Shepherd Health Center and Hospice of North Iowa, who took care of her lovingly during the last days of her life. Johanna will be remembered for her inner strength, and for surrounding herself with circles of vivacious friends who did community projects, celebrated landmarks in their lives, swam at the YMCA, practiced tai chi, and played cards together. She loved entertaining her friends, and her door was always open. Her trusting, loving nature inspired kindness in return, which was never more apparent than at the end of her life when she depended on the help of her friends and her family to see her through.

Born on November 16, 1920, in the town of Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Johanna immigrated to Sutherland, Iowa with her family in 1928. She graduated from Sutherland High School in 1939; and from the University of Iowa School of Nursing in 1942, where she met her beloved husband Paul, who at the time was a medical student and also her patient. After their marriage on October 12, 1942, Johanna worked as a nurse in civilian hospitals during Pauls military service. They moved to Mason City in 1949 and made it their home for the rest of their lives.

Johanna served in leadership positions in many community organizations, including YWCA, PTA, Red Cross, Board of Senior Citizens, P.E.O. Chaper IW, Womens Club, Scouts, and the United Methodist Church. She was named Outstanding Woman by the YWCA in 1979. An ardent supporter and appreciator of the arts, she was a founding member of the Charles H. MacNider Museum and served for many years on the museums Board of Trustees. She rarely missed a performance at NIACC Performing Arts Center or Mason City Community Theatre. For many decades, a highlight of every summer was the annual weekend with friends and family at the Des Moines Metro Opera in Indianola, Iowa, and her family knew not to call on a Saturday afternoon during Metropolitan Opera Live Radio Broadcasts.

Three generations of children will treasure her memory: Douglas P. Morgan (Daniela) of Comstock, Wisconsin; Jan Morgan Zeserson (Kenneth) of Ithaca, NY; and William Morgan (Nancy) of Fairfield, Iowa. Her grandchildren: Andrew Morgan (Lisa), Peter Morgan (Avra), Eli Zeserson (Melissa), Johanna Z. Stebbins (Thomas), Annalisa Morgan, and Eli Morgan; and great grandchildren: Zachary, Jasper, Gustavo, Samuel, Lyla, Declan, Grayson, and Owen. Johanna is survived by her younger sister Anna Katrine Meyer, sister-in-law Dorothy Thiessen, brother-in-law Kenneth W. Morgan, and beloved nieces and nephews with whom she stayed in friendly and loving touch throughout her life. She is predeceased by her devoted husband Paul W. Morgan, her brothers George and Claudius Thiessen, and her parents Claudius and Bertha (Maasen) Thiessen.

Memorials:
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Charles H. MacNider Museum, First United Methodist Church, or Hospice of North Iowa.

Service:
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011, 1:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 119 South Georgia Ave., with Rev. Jim Stiles officiating.