Margaret Claudine Louise (Kruse) Johnston

Margaret Kruse Johnston, 98, of Tipton, was ushered into Heaven early Monday morning, October 7, 2019 while under the care of Cedar Manor Nursing Home in Tipton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 10:30 am in the old South Bethel Methodist Church located in the Cedar County Historical Museum grounds. Pastor Cindy McKenzie will officiate. There will be a time of visitation on Friday, October 11 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Burial will follow in the South Bethel Cemetery. A memorial to the South Bethel Church or Cemetery has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com

Margaret Claudine Louise Kruse Johnston was born on December 11, 1920 near Wilton in Cedar County. She was the daughter of Paul H and Emma Busch Kruse. On March 31, 1946 Margaret was united in marriage to Donald Mark Johnston in her parent’s home. Margaret was a faithful member of the South Bethel Methodist Church until it closed and then transferred her membership to Rochester Methodist Church. She was a homemaker, farmwife and cook for the Masons and Lions for 15 years. Margaret belonged to the United Methodist Women, Red Oak Grove Kings Daughters, Tipton Study Club and was an active volunteer for many organizations. She lived in Cedar County all of her life.

Margaret is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Hotz of Iowa City, Ann Winter of Cedar Rapids and Ellen and her husband Phil Martin of Davenport; 6 grandchildren, Jeremy, Ben and Abby Hotz Franks, Shannon Winter Power and Erin Winter Churchill and Eric Martin; great grandchildren; Wes, Will, Maggie, Cooper, Sam and Tine.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Johnston, son-in-law, Eldon Hotz, granddaughter, Emily Hotz, sisters, Gertrude Kruse and Louise Heizer and her brother, John Busch.