Bessie Elizabeth Johnk was born to John and Rosena (Ficken) Jipp at the home of her parents in Grant Township, Guthrie County, Iowa, near Adair, on June 13, 1924. She passed away April 13, 2012, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center in Atlantic, Iowa.

She was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair. She attended rural school at Grant #9 in Guthrie County. She was employed for several years at the Scott store, and from 1971 until her retirement in 1986 she worked at the Larsen Ben Franklin store, both in Atlantic.

On September 14, 1947, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Johnk at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair. They were the parents of two sons, Wayne Kenneth and Larry Alan, and two daughters, Wanda Elizabeth and Nancy Louise. They farmed all their married life on a farm south of Walnut. Kenneth passed away August 24, 1994.

Bessie was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, a member of the Golden Years, LWML and several neighborhood clubs.

She loved being outdoors working with flowers and gardening. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, playing cards, in particular pinochle, and watching birds, especially cardinals. Nothing lit up her day more than being with her children, grandchildren and other family members.

Preceding Bessie in death were husband, Kenneth Johnk; parents; great-granddaughter, Grace Miranda; sister, Eldora (Roy) Ellerhoff; brother, Ernest (Bernett) Jipp; sister-in-law, Dorothy Johnk; and her brother-in-law, Robert Johnk.

Those surviving Bessie are her children, Wanda (Philip) Weidner of Marne, IA, Wayne (Jane) Johnk of Walnut, IA, Nancy (Allan) Brandhoij of Bradgate, IA and Larry (Ann) Johnk of Walnut, IA; grandchildren, Karyn (Jamie) Joyce; Julie (Kevin) St. John, Bryan (Misty) Weidner, Sheri (Chad) Kinzie, Kristi (Ryan) Miranda, Alex Johnk, Laura Johnk, Amie (Clay) Wells, Kenny Brandhoij, Kaylee Johnk, Austin Johnk and Kristin Johnk; great-grandchildren, Heather St. John, Matt St. John, Nickolas Joyce, Emma Joyce, Brody Weidner, Tyler Weidner, Owen Kinzie, Bralynne Kinzie, Isabelle Miranda, and Riley Wells; sister-in-law, Carolyn Johnk of Walnut, IA; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation with family will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 16, 2012, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Burial will be in the Layton Township Cemetery, Walnut, Iowa.