Earlene Mae (Johnson) Lekwa

Earlene Mae Johnson Lekwa passed away early Monday, July 21, 2025, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Columbus Junction, after a long struggle with cancer.  She was 83.  Visitation will be Friday, July 25, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Columbus Junction.  Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church.  Burial will be in the Columbus City Cemetery.  Following the committal service, a time of refreshments will be held at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church or the Kingston United Methodist Church in memory of Earlene.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 

Earlene was born February 10, 1942, to Earl and Arlene (Allen) Johnson in rural Columbus Junction at the farm home of her grandparents, Reuben and Bessie Allen.  Growing up she attended several elementary schools.  She attended 3 years of high school at Grandview High School and attended her senior year at Columbus Community where she graduated in 1960.  She graduated from Burlington Beauty Academy and for many years operated her own beauty shop in Columbus Junction.

She married Verl Lekwa in 1972 and they made their home in Columbus Junction where they raised their two sons, Jeffrey Lee and David Alan Lekwa.  She worked for Ross Dry Goods for a short time, then was Columbus Junction’s City Clerk for 8 years and served one term as Columbus Junction’s Mayor.  Her love for people and children found her teaching preschool for many years.  She taught at the Great Beginnings Pre School and also the KFC Pre School and earned her CDA during that time.

She was involved in the Columbus Junction and Columbus City United Methodist Churches and in 2010 received her Certified Lay Minister certificate.  She then was appointed to serve at the Kingston United Methodist Church in Des Moines County and was their pastor for 7 years.  Later she served a year at the Keota United Church of Faith.  Earlene was also twice the president of the American Legion Auxiliary’s southeastern Iowa district.  She also worked part time in the kitchen of the Columbus High School for a number of years.  She loved having her grandchildren on Friday nights during their growing up years.  She spent many hours quilting, making them for her family.  She enjoyed her flower beds, playing her guitar and singing on special occasions.  Decorating for the holidays and gift giving were special joys for her.

She is survived by her husband Verl, 2 sons, Jeff and Dave, 4 grandchildren, Jarrett, J.D., Jobie and Justus Lekwa, and great-grandchildren Wren Earlene Lekwa and Colstyn Jacob Lekwa.  Also surviving are two brothers, Harold (Paulette) Johnson of Muscatine, Marty (Janie) Johnson of Wapello, and nieces Jodie and Brenda, nephews Bart and Monty, and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father Earl Johnson, mother Arlene Johnson, brother Don Alan Johnson, nephew Joey Johnson, maternal grandparents Reuben and Bessie Allen and paternal grandparents Clyde and Emma Johnson.

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