Irma P. Johnson, age 100, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at United Methodist Church, 302 W Broadway St, Decorah, IA 52101, with Pastor Cat Stokes presiding. Burial will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at United Methodist Church, 302 W Broadway St, Decorah, IA 52101.

Irma Jeanette (Piegors) Johnson was born October 16, 1925, in Tripoli, Iowa, the only child of Rudolph and Renetta (Tegtmeier) Piegors. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli and attended grade and high school there, graduating valedictorian in 1943 in a class of 32. She went on to attend ISTC (now UNI) in Cedar Falls for two years and then Iowa State University in Ames, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition: Dietetics in 1947. She completed a one-year dietetic internship at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Irma began her professional career at University Hospitals, Iowa City as an Administrative Dietitian. It was here that mutual friends introduced her to Gene Johnson, who was a graduate student working as a “board job” in Main Kitchen. They were married June 1, 1952 and became parents of three children, Barbara, Katherine and Jack. Gene and Irma lived in LaPorte City, Iowa for thirteen years where Gene taught in the high school. Irma was an active volunteer in Girl Scouts, Christian education, church organist, O.E.S. (Order of the Easter Star), and each week she had six piano students come to their home for lessons. She called that her “egg money.”

Gene and Irma and family moved to Decorah in August of 1966. Gene taught in the high school and Irma worked at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital as Head of the Nutrition Department until her retirement in 1987. Irma was always a member of The American Dietetic Association and The Iowa Dietetic Association and she served in the latter as secretary, program chair, bulletin editor and president. She was a six-year Iowa delegate to the national organization. Retirement provided time for Irma and Gene to travel together enjoying Elderhostel’s, bus trips and many car trips. Watching their grandchildren grow and mature was also fun. Later on, Irma also enjoyed her travels to England, a river cruise in Germany and visiting all 50 states.

Irma always said that with the Johnson name she could fit into Decorah’s Norwegian heritage, but she was proud of being 100% German. Her Christmas gift to her friends were the anise-flavored German springerle cookies. She baked dozens and gave them away since she knew no one else with the recipe or the uniquely carved rolling pin.

Irma was an active volunteer and worked in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, hospital auxiliary and church circle. She served terms on the Decorah Planning and Zoning Commission, Winneshiek County Board of Health and FRIENDS of the Library Board. She believed volunteering was the dues we pay to be a member of the human race. Her hobbies included quilting, knitting, reading, traveling, music, bridge, Iowa and Iowa State football and CUBS baseball. She became a SF 49er fan when ISU quarterback Brock Purdy joined the 49ers. She was supportive of her family’s endeavors and proud of their accomplishments. She especially appreciated the large Johnson family who welcomed her warmly when she married Gene.

In December 2023 Irma moved to Barthell Eastern Star Home. She enjoyed her two and a half years there. From her first day there to her last, she had wonderful caregivers. It was important to her to learn the names of her caregivers and thank them each day for their help.

Survivors include her three children: Barbara Louise (James) Dorsey, Katherine Renetta (Jane Hardy) Johnson, and Jack Rudolph (Dianne Regh) Johnson; six grandchildren: Trevor (Cherise) Dorsey, Erica Dorsey, Carla Dorsey, Scott Johnson, Geoffrey Johnson; and seven Dorsey great-grandchildren (Kelli, Brooke, Jenna, Gayle, Margo, Faye and Arthur).

Irma was preceded in death by her parents Renetta Piegors in 1948, Rudolph Piegors in 1985, husband, Gene in 1996, and daughter-in-law, Carol in 2014.

In 2007 Irma made an anatomical bequest to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and she was pleased to be accepted.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Barthell O.E.S. Home and WinnMed Hospice for their compassion, kindness and the support they provided Irma.