Carolyn Luella Johnk
October 26, 1936 — May 27, 2018
Carolyn LuElla (Burnham) Johnk 81, of Walnut, IA, passed peacefully on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Council Bluffs, IA. She was surrounded by her family.
She was born on October 26, 1936 in Council Bluffs, IA, the daughter of Elizabeth (Pace) Burnham and Fred Raymond Burnham of Walnut, IA. She attended Walnut High School and graduated in 1954. She attended one semester of college at Simpson College, before marrying her High School sweetheart, Robert Dale Johnk, on February 19, 1955. Following her marriage, Carolyn lived the rest of her life on the Johnk family farm in Hancock, which she loved.
During her life, Carolyn worked as the Kitchen Director at Peace Haven Retirement Home, and she gave her love of cooking to many of her children and grandchildren. She was an avid gardener, and also served for many years as the Sunday School Superintendent at the Walnut Presbyterian Church, where she was an ordained Elder. Her biggest joy, however, was following the activities, events, and achievements of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, and two brothers, Raymond and Harvey Burnham. She is survived by her sister, Betty Jean Goettsch, her children: Keith Johnk and his wife Marnie, of Coralville, Iowa; Kent Johnk and his wife Carla of Hancock, Iowa; and Karla Johnk Helms of Hancock, Iowa, 7 grandchildren: Elissa, Ryne, Brittni and Ty Johnk, Kelsey Griffith, Karley Helms, and Jessica Moore, and 6 (soon to be 8!) great-grandchildren.
She was born on October 26, 1936 in Council Bluffs, IA, the daughter of Elizabeth (Pace) Burnham and Fred Raymond Burnham of Walnut, IA. She attended Walnut High School and graduated in 1954. She attended one semester of college at Simpson College, before marrying her High School sweetheart, Robert Dale Johnk, on February 19, 1955. Following her marriage, Carolyn lived the rest of her life on the Johnk family farm in Hancock, which she loved.
During her life, Carolyn worked as the Kitchen Director at Peace Haven Retirement Home, and she gave her love of cooking to many of her children and grandchildren. She was an avid gardener, and also served for many years as the Sunday School Superintendent at the Walnut Presbyterian Church, where she was an ordained Elder. Her biggest joy, however, was following the activities, events, and achievements of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, and two brothers, Raymond and Harvey Burnham. She is survived by her sister, Betty Jean Goettsch, her children: Keith Johnk and his wife Marnie, of Coralville, Iowa; Kent Johnk and his wife Carla of Hancock, Iowa; and Karla Johnk Helms of Hancock, Iowa, 7 grandchildren: Elissa, Ryne, Brittni and Ty Johnk, Kelsey Griffith, Karley Helms, and Jessica Moore, and 6 (soon to be 8!) great-grandchildren.
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