Iris Eileen (Hayes) Johnson, age 97, passed away on March 12, 2011 in Ness City, Kansas. She was born on May 11, 1913 in Beeler, Kansas to Simon and Pearl Pearce Hayes, two Ness County pioneer families. She was welcomed by her three brothers, Keith, Estel "Ecky", and Melville "Buddy"; all have preceded her in death.

Pearl, her mother died when Iris was 4 years old. Iris started grade school at that age. Simon moved the family to Colorado, then to Selkirk, Kansas. Most of her schooling was at Selkirk and Leoti with the last at Beeler where her cherished relatives lived.

She was married to Charles H. Johnson at the Scott County court house on September 2, 1930. They were married for 62 years until his death in 1992. They lived on the South Fork Valley of Ness County, which Henry, Charlie's dad homesteaded. They raised, enjoyed and loved their three children, Melville "Buddy Mack", CharlCie Darlene and Darryl Dee. Iris and Charlie were active participants with their children's school, club, church and athletic activities.

Iris was quite active in all of the Beeler United Methodist Church activities where she taught Sunday school for over 40 years. She was a member of United Methodist Women, Charter member of YWCA, Ever Ready Unit, GG Club, Sunshine Club, and the Friendship Circle. Iris loved people, visiting, music, reading and making things out of left over scraps, or "nothing" she liked to say, and then giving them away as gifts.

Iris learned about and chose cremation for her body after death. She believed that the process of extremely high temperature, the output of light was a symbol of the return to the Light of God and thus dust to dust, ashes to ashes.

Iris was a very loving woman, she demonstrated, showed and told her family, friends, and caretakers that she loved them as long as she was able. May she rejoice in heaven!

Iris is survived by Darryl, (LaVina), Beeler, Kansas, CharlCie, (Dale), Palm Springs, California and Melville, (Patricia), Wichita, Kansas, 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, Beeler with Pastor Warren Hett presiding. Friends may call to sign the book at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Tuesday from 9am – 9pm. Memorial contributions may be given to the Beeler United Methodist Church or the Beeler Community Building.