Helen Johnston

HELEN IRENE JOHNSTON, age 87, of Blue Earth, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015, at St. Lukes Lutheran Care Center.Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015, at 10:00 AM, at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth, with Rev. Russ Jacobsen officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth. Visitation time will be from 1:00-2:00 PM Thursday, April 16, 2015 at St. Lukes Chapel and 5:00-7:00 PM, at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th Street in Blue Earth, and 1 hour before the service. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comShe was born July 21, 1927, in Faribault County on the family farm, the daughter of Howard and Mable (Beason) Meliza. She graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1945, and then attended Mankato State Teachers College. She married Richard Thomas Johnston July 17, 1949 in Blue Earth. She taught school in rural districts 1 and 72 from 1946 thru May 1951. She was a member Green Thumb Garden Club, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 89 since 1959, Disabled American Veteran Auxiliary Chapter, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary # 4580, First United Methodist Church since 1950, and First United Methodist Women since 1951. She was also a volunteer with the American Red Cross Blood Mobile.She is survived by her daughter Nancy (Charlie) Noah of Independence, MO, son, Dennis (Debra) Johnston of Santa Anna, CA, son, Dale (Marsha) Johnston of Albert Lea, son, Glen (Connie) Johnston of Owatonna, MN, son, Wesley (Wanda) Johnston of Ferrelview, MO, brother, Harley Meliza of Blue Earth, brother, Duane (Ruth) Meliza of Dundas, MN, sister, Donna Baker of Mesa, AZ, 8 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. .She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Thomas Johnston, parents, and sister-in-law Peggy Meliza.