Juanita Cecile Johnston

Juanita Cecile Johnston, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed from this life on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Hallmark Care Center, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 1224 5th Street S.E., Cedar Rapids, where the family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass. The Reverend Aaron Junge will officiate. Burial will follow at Dunkard Cemetery, in Midway, Iowa. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Juanita was born on April 11, 1940, in Madawaska, Maine, the oldest of 12 children to Joseph and Lucienne (Pelletier) Levesque. From her earliest years, Juanita was her mother’s ‘right-hand’, helping to care for her 11 siblings. She was a 1958 Graduate of Madawaska High School, and later earned her Secretarial Degree at the former Hartford Secretarial School, in West Hartford, Connecticut.

In 1960, Juanita and two of her girlfriends bought a second-hand convertible and headed west to sunny California, after visiting Florida beaches, Las Vegas casinos, and witnessing the unparalleled scenic views of the Grand Canyon. Juanita’s career began in real estate, as the personal Secretary for Mr. Coldwell of Coldwell Banker in Los Angeles, California.

On June 30, 1962, Juanita was united in marriage to Lawrence A. Johnston, leaving the workplace entirely to be a stay-at-home mom. In 1967, Juanita and Lawrence purchased a brand-new home in Carson, California, where they raised their three children, Timothy, Wendy and Anthony. When their children were not in school, the family enjoyed traveling and camping all over the Western United States, especially at Yosemite National Park, where Juanita was once chased by a curious bear.

When her children were old enough, Juanita joined California State University, at Dominguez Hills, where she rose from Library Clerk to Secretary for the Vice-President of Finance, until her retirement in 1990.

In 1992, Juanita and Lawrence moved to Cedar Rapids, to enjoy their retirement years. Always active, Juanita was on-the-go nearly every day with many activities including: playing cards, gardening, antiquing, and going to rummage sales. She was a volunteer with Aide To Women, working at their Treasures Quality Resale Shoppe. Every Sunday, Juanita could be found attending mass at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Most of all, Juanita loved spending time with her family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Timothy Johnston of Cedar Rapids, Wendy Grajeda of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Anthony (Mary) Johnston of Platte City, Missouri; one grandson, Joseph Grajeda of Cordova, Tennessee; two great-grandchildren, Isabella Rose Grajeda and Mateo James Grajeda; six brothers, Joel Levesque of Placentia, California, Roger (Leila) Levesque of Falls Church, Virginia, Yvon (Madeline) Levesque of Madawaska, Alcide Levesque of Apple Valley, California, Allen (Lisa) Levesque of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Joey (Isabelle) Levesque of Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada; four sisters, Joan Jones of Cadiz, Kentucky, Claudette (Dave) Hudson of Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada, Nancy (Michael) Smith of Tucson, Arizona, and Cecile (John) Carnes of Elkader, Iowa; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Juanita was preceded into eternal life by her parents; beloved husband, Lawrence Johnston; one grandson, Christopher Grajeda; one brother, Armand Levesque; and two adopted siblings, Lucien Levesque and Lucienne “Lucy” Mathiews.

Memorials in Juanita’s memory may be directed to: World Vision at www.worldvision.org; or PO Box 9716, Federal Way, Washington 98063.