Martha Kathryn Himmel Johnson

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Visitation Schedule
Visitation
Roller McNutt Funeral Home
801 8th Ave
Conway, AR  72032
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
6-8pm
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
First United Methodist Church
1610 Prince Street
Conway, AR  72034
Thursday, April 9, 2015
10:30am
Martha Kathryn Himmel Johnson

of Conway, AR

November 22, 1927 - April 2, 2015

Martha Kathryn Himmel Johnson, 87, of Conway, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2015. A lover of music, nature and people, she touched many lives and made people better.
Martha was born on November 22, 1927, to Edward Himmel and Ruth Kathryn Speicher Himmel in Aurora, Illinois. She grew up in Naperville, Illinois, across the street from North Central College, where her father taught botany. This early exposure to a collegiate lifestyle would follow her for her entire life. Martha received a bachelor's degree, majoring in math and German, from North Central and a master's degree in mathematics education from the University of Wisconsin.
In 1946, Martha, then a sophomore at North Central, dropped a book while returning it to the college library. A young man picked up the book for her. They introduced themselves to each other and five years later, on September 1, 1951, Martha and Arthur Albin Johnson were wed. In 1955, Art was offered a teaching position at Hendrix College. Arthur accepted the job, which would relocate the young couple to Conway, the place they would call home for the rest of their lives. They had five children together.
Martha held various jobs at Hendrix, including part-time teaching positions in Algebra, German and Education, and later a full-time position at the Hendrix Library, where she supervised book acquisitions and student payroll for 18 years.
A lifetime lover of music, Martha instilled that love in her children and grandchildren. Many happy times were spent around the family piano, singing folk songs and Christmas carols. Martha was a member of the Conway First United Methodist Church Choir for decades. She also was very involved in her community including participation in the Friends of the Faulkner County Library, the Conway Shakespeare Club, and the Conway Orpheus Club. She was a founding member of the Conway Human Relations Council, which worked to integrate the Conway School System. She was also a troop leader and lifetime member of the Girl Scouts.
Martha was very active in the Arkansas Audubon Society and served the organization in various capacities. She managed the Conway Christmas Bird Count for 33 years and maintained the Faulkner County bird records. Her name was synonymous with bird watching in Conway. Any curious or unseasonal bird sighting in town typically prompted a call to Martha Johnson to determine the bird's identity. Martha and Art were also instrumental in the founding of the Arkansas Audubon Society Halberg Ecology Camp, an annual summer camp for young people that features studies in various areas of natural history.
Martha and Art had a ''second home'' at their beloved Lake Itasca, MN. For many years, the couple traveled to Minnesota every summer and took up residence at the University of Minnesota Biological Station, where Arthur would conduct his research and Martha would enjoy the cooler temperatures and the natural surroundings of the Minnesota big woods.
Martha is survived by her husband of 63 years, Arthur Johnson of Conway; a brother, Joseph Himmel of Greeley, CO; five children, Kathy (Jay) McDaniel of Conway, Krissy Johnson (Mike Manion) of Conway, David Johnson (Nancy Murray) of Delaware, OH, Paul Johnson (Sharon Hartley-Hoyng) of College Station, TX, and Julie (Sonny) Rhodes of North Little Rock; 15 grandchildren, Winifred Johnson of Woods Hole, MA, Martha Johnson of Columbus, OH, Jason McDaniel of Providence, RI, Matt McDaniel of San Antonio, TX, Adrienne Shields, Jordann Palasota, Taylor Hoyng and Joshua Hartley-Hoyng, all of College Station, TX, Jeremy Rhodes of North Little Rock, Katie Rhodes of Memphis, TN, Calvin Manion of Russellville, Wesley, Sam and Natalie Manion, all of Conway, and Abby Rhodes of North Little Rock; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Conway First United Methodist Church, with a reception afterward. A private committal service will be held that afternoon.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Calvin, Wesley, Sam, Jason, Matt and Jeremy.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of the following: AAS Halberg Ecology Camp, 804 Konrad Court, Little Rock AR 72223; Conway First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince Street, Conway, AR 72034; or to the Dr. Arthur A. and Martha Johnson Scholarship at Hendrix College, Office of Development, 1600 Washington Ave., Conway, AR 72032.

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18 Condolence(s)
Malisia P
Conway, AR
Liked
Monday, April 20, 2015

I work at Conway Ortho and had the pleasure of meeting Ms Martha. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers to her family!

Sue Farris
,
Liked
Sunday, April 12, 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sharon Harmon
Conway,
Liked
Wednesday, April 8, 2015

So sorry for your family's loss of Martha.
I remember her well from my many years of Girl Scouting.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Sharon and Abbi Harmon

Ralph & Sherri Lachowsky
Conway, AR
Liked
Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Krissy and family, we are very sorry for your loss.

Ralph, Sherri, Zach & Hailey Lachowsky

B G May
, AR
Liked
Wednesday, April 8, 2015

I did not know Mrs. Johnson, but from reading about her she seemed a remarkable person. Someone I would have enjoyed knowing. My condolences to your family.

Steve Barger
Conway, AR
Liked
Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Art and family, I am so thankful for Martha's contributions to this mortal life we share. Her efforts to support ecology, school integration, libraries, the UMC, and Hendrix were tireless and profound. Conway-- yea, the world-- would not have been nearly so wonderful without her! I am sad that such a kind, caring, and effective person ever has to leave this earth. But I am so very glad our lives were blessed by her presence!

With my deepest sympathy,
Steve Barger

Kathleen Wise D'Amato
Springfield, VA
Liked
Monday, April 6, 2015

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Johnson, Paul, Julie and family. Martha Johnson was a wonderful person that I enjoyed getting to know during my time at the Hendrix library so many years ago. Blessings to all of you.

Liz & Bill Fulton
,
Liked
Monday, April 6, 2015

I hope those crocheted dish cloths keep on traveling. I loved getting a couple from Martha each time we saw her. I'll miss her and I'll always remember the talks we had at Audubon committee meetings.

Susan Toone
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, April 6, 2015

What an inspirational woman - she lived such a full life. Krissy has told me some great stories from the trips to Minnesota the family took every summer and I can see some of it quite vividly because of the camping trips my family has shared with hers over the years. Martha will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community. I know the birds sang her to heaven.

Nancy Barr
Birmingham, AL
Liked
Monday, April 6, 2015

Love to you Krissy, during this time. So sorry to hear about your mother, and know the kids will miss their grandmother. Thinking of you, Nancy

Nancy
Conway, AR
Liked
Monday, April 6, 2015

We are so saddened by Martha's passing. What a truly great lady she was. All our love and prayers to Art and the rest of the family.

David and Nancy Hales

Tonya Musial
Conway, AR
Liked
Monday, April 6, 2015

To the Manion/Johnson family, What a beautiful life Ms. Martha led, always giving to others. I know she will be missed by her family. We should all aspire to be more like her. I'll cherish my hand made dish clothes forever. Love to you all.

Ernest Freeman
houston, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 5, 2015

she was great lady. our prayers goes out to Art and the family. she will greatly be missed. love Earnest

Allan and Kathleen Mueller
Conway, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 5, 2015

We are so sad at the loss of our good friend. We are all better for knowing Martha and less at her passing.

Becky Freeman
Conway,
Liked
Sunday, April 5, 2015

I've never met any one as disciplined & respectful to others.I love her and will miss her!

Jacqueline Hawley
New York City,
Liked
Sunday, April 5, 2015

We send our deepest sympathy and much love. Jacquie Hawley and Jody Gray(cousin to Nancy Murray)

Paul Johnson
College station,
Liked
Saturday, April 4, 2015

Miss you mom. Flooded with lots of happy memories. You are ever present in my heart and I feel blessed that you were my mom

Lydia Barnes
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Saturday, April 4, 2015

Julie, What a great legacy your Mother leaves for her children and grandchildren! I'm praying for you during this difficult time. My love to all of you!