Obituary of Ivan Johns

Ivan Johns, 90 of Twin Falls passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011 at Woodstone Assisted Living. Ivan was born December 17, 1920 in Seymour, Missouri to Orrie L. Johns and Mearl Daniel Johns. He was the 4th of seven children. Ivan and Maude Dudley were married Dec 6, 1941 in Seymour, MO. They resided in Missouri, where he farmed with his family until March 1947, when they moved to Murtaugh, ID. Ivan farmed for the Briggs Ranch for a number of years before moving to Twin Falls. He again worked for various farmers before working for Idaho Bean & Elevator and Charter Seed Companies. He then began working for the John Breckenridge Ranch, Twin Falls, where he soon became foreman. He left the farming industry in 1981 and began to work for Idaho Frozen Foods. He then worked for Volco Building Supply for a short time before retiring permanently in 1985. Dad was a hard worker with work ethics few could exceed. He was well known for his straight field rows and knowledge of farming. He was featured in various farm magazines throughout his farming career. He was also quite the practical joker. He loved to send new employees at the seed companies for a “sack stretcher.” Hobbies included among other activities, playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, fishing, and camping. He loved to tell stories of his childhood, while sitting around the campfire. He and his brothers loved to play jokes on each other. He was always the first one up when camping. He would build a large fire and sit around it drinking coffee. Linda loved to beat everyone up so she could sit by the fire with hot chocolate with Dad. He was also the last one to put the fire out at night, after watching with the kids for the “sputnik”. Many times during the winter, you would find him playing games or puzzles together with Stacey. Dad was extremely patient. He could fix anything from a watch to a tractor and anything else you can think of. He enjoyed nothing more than helping his children with a school project. Those 4th grade projects of maps of Idaho made from salt, flour and water. He could do anything. Dad was also famous for his short cuts when taking a trip. Mom can tell you a hair-raising story of a shortcut Dad took on the way to California one winter. When going on a trip, he loved to get up early and leave at 2 or 3 a.m. We kids hated it, but Mom and Dad would fix us beds on the floor and car seat. We could sleep and play all the way to our destination. Dad loved to work with wood. While a teenager, he carved a dulcimer and a wagon. He made a table for Mom from all different types of wood. They were all beautiful. When Keith was in grade school, Dad carved him a rifle out of wood. Keith was the envy of all the neighborhood kids. Ivan was on various church boards throughout his Christian life. He was a current member at Higher Ground Ministries, Twin Falls. We will all miss Dad, very much, but we rejoice that you have gone home and have joined your two daughters and great granddaughter. We are eternally grateful for St Luke’s Hospice and Woodstone Assisted Living. He was preceded in death by his parents Orrie L. and Mearl Johns, two brothers Floyd Johns and Austin Johns, two daughters Marcella Janeen Odom and Elizabeth Ann Watkins, Twin Falls and one great grandchild Elaine Huber. He is survived by his wife Maude Louise Johns of Twin Falls; two sons Keith (Sharon) Johns and Stacey Johns, Twin Falls; one daughter Linda (Richard) Walker, Kimberly, ID; and one son-in-law Robert Odom of Franklinton, LA; two brothers Everett Johns of Hollister, CA and Edward Johns of Seymour, MO; two sisters Roxie Swearengin of Mansfield, MO and June Hargus of Springfield, MO; 8 grandchildren Jeanette (Gordon) Davis, Hayden, ID, Jeff (Claudia) Johns, Twin Falls, Dinah (Jeremy ) Sharp, Salt Lake City, UT, Dana (Mike) Rippey, Greenleaf, ID, John Odom, Nampa, ID, Leena (John) Huber, Twin Falls, Layne Watkins, Anchorage, AK and Brent (Molly) Watkins, Twin Falls. He is also survived by 15 great grandchildren, Jeanelle Davis, Allan Davis, Corissa Johns, Emily Johns, Grace Johns, Gregory Sharp, Emmett Rippey, Levi Rippey, Makaylan Odom, Hudson Odom, Samuel Huber, Melissa Huber, Tanner Watkins, Tucker Watkins and Garrett Watkins. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, Nov 23, 2011 at Rosenau Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Johns officiating with burial to follow at Sunset