Eileen Johnson

Eileen Johnson, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Monday, May 18, 2026, at Rose Glen Apartments in Des Moines, Iowa.

Eileen was born on October 16, 1936 to Earl and Berniece (McIntosh) Christiansen in Omaha, Nebraska. At a young age, Eileen grew up as a city girl in Council Bluffs and attended Thomas Jefferson high school graduating in 1954. She was an inquisitive child always curious and ready to try something new – a characteristic she would never lose.

While in high school, Eileen met one of her friend’s brother, Francis “Bud” Johnson. Two years later, on February 11, 1956, they were married at Holy Family Catholic Church in Council Bluffs. They later moved to Atlantic where Eileen worked almost 30 years as the Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager at Walnut Grove. Together, she and Bud enjoyed traveling.

She personified independence, integrity, wisdom, humility and a caring spirit. Eileen was a force to be reckoned with. Her initial ornery demeanor often quickly changed to a kind, generous, giving spirit to those she encountered. She loved music of all types and reading. Without question, Eileen would say her greatest accomplishment and joy in life was spending time with her family.

She was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and lived her life as a woman after God’s own heart. Her commitment to family, friends and neighbors was immeasurable, and her love for Jesus Christ was evident in how she lived out her life for the Catholic Church and service to others. Her life exemplified the verse in Luke 12:48 where it reads, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required”. Eileen believed the Lord had blessed her, and so she and Bud often found themselves helping others in many ways. Aside from helping family, she served on numerous areas in the church community, became the Volunteer Coordinator for Cass County Memorial Hospital, volunteered for the American Cancer Society in Cass County, and was active with the Atlantic Christian Women’s Club for many years.

Eileen is survived by her daughter, Pamela (David) Boone, daughter-in-law, Pamela Johnson; brother, Kenneth (Helen) Christiansen; sisters-in-law, Gertrude (Jerry) Lines and Rosemary Meekins; grandchildren, Katie Johnson, Ben (Andrea) Johnson, Sam Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Quincy Boone,(Jessi), Myles Boone; great-grandchildren, Kaden, Xander, Rowan, Winston, Wallace and June.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, Mark; parents, Earl and Berniece Christiansen; in-laws, Frank and Evelyn Johnson; brothers-in-law, Michael Kallman, James Johnson, Richard Burroughs; sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Kallman, Barbara Ackerson, Mary Burroughs, and Karen Johnson.

A Catholic prayer service and visitation with family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 Friday night, May 22nd, 2026, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Father Brad Robey will preside over the prayer service at 5:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be the following morning on Saturday, May 23rd at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. Private family committal will immediately follow the funeral mass. Father Brad Robey will be presiding over the mass and committal. There will be a luncheon at Roland Funeral Home following the funeral mass. Roland Funeral Home-204 E.5th, Atlantic, Ia.

Memorials may be made to the family via Pam Boone for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Eileen’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.