Johnette Kellogg

Johnette Judith Kellogg, 82, of Grand Junction, died Nov. 4 in Des Moines.

A memorial Mass was held Nov. 12 at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Grand Junction, with Mass concelebrated by Father Michael Kellogg and Father John Gerald.

Music was provided by Sheilah Pound, soloist, with Lois Last, accompanist.

Interment will be held at a later date at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Wesley, Iowa.

Johnette was born on Feb. 7, 1937, in Mason City. She was, first and foremost, a woman of faith. She loved her family, friends, church and her many students over the years. She was also a voracious reader and a lifelong learner. 

Johnette grew up in Britt and was married to Richard Kellogg on June 30, 1961, and moved to Grand Junction to begin her teaching career at East Greene in 1964. She taught at the Dana building until 1967 and then left the teaching profession to raise a family.

After her children became older, she returned to teaching in 1975 at Jo Crandell’s preschool in Grand Junction.  When her husband, Dick, decided to retire, Johnette returned to school to get her BA degree in education at Iowa State University. She was extremely proud of her academic success and was the valedictorian for the School of Education in 1985. Johnette began teaching again at East Greene Elementary in 1986 and retired in 2003.

Her husband passed away on May 1, 1992, and she never remarried.

One of Johnette’s greatest joys was her ability to work with children. Whether it was her grandkids or the many students she taught over the years, she found great fulfillment in helping young people learn and know they are loved. This love for others was motivated by her faith, and her love for God was unquestionable.

She was an active member of St. Brigid Catholic Church for more than 50 years and found great strength in her faith community. Within the past few years of her life, she struggled with various health challenges but never lost faith and always kept a good, life-giving sense of humor.

Survivors include her sons:  Pierre (Sue) Kellogg, of Grand Junction, and Father Michael Kellogg, of Becker, Minn.; her daughters: Magdalene (Randy) Runyan, of Grand Junction, and Liz (Blaine) Lechko, of Ladora; 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; a brother, James (Carol) Bleich, of Spencer; other relatives and friends.

Johnette will be greatly missed by her family and friends but is now enjoying the fruits of eternal life with God.

The family was assisted by the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home.