Lona Riemenschneider

Lona Riemenschneider fell asleep in Jesus on July 31, 2016 at the age of 99. Her family and friends were gathered around singing gospel songs as she passed from this life from the effects of Alzheimer's.

Lona was born in Lott, Texas on April 10, 1917 to Henry and Ada Johnson. When she was age two, they rode in a covered wagon from Lott to the Crowell, Texas area where her parents farmed. She was baptized into Christ at about twelve and remained a faithful Christian in the Church of Christ all her life.

Her love of learning compelled her to set life-long high academic standards for herself. After completing Crowell High School, she later graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1939 with a degree in English. While waiting for a teaching position, she was a reporter for the Foard County News at Crowell. She was then offered a high school position at Childress, Texas teaching English, Spanish and Latin.
It was there that she met the school band director whom she would marry.
The couple later moved to Waco where Marshall was the music teacher for the Methodist Home for Children. Their first child was born there. During World War II, Lona taught at Elgin, while Marshall was in the Pacific. Later, she moved to Corpus Christi and lived in Marine housing until Marshall returned.

The family moved to Camp Hood and lived in Hood Village.
While there, Marshall began the Camp Hood band program.
In 1947, the family moved to Belton and the couple commuted to Camp Hood to both teach there. Later, Lona taught in Belton.
In 1954, they moved to Killeen, where the couple taught many years. Lona taught at the Avenue D and Fowler elementaries.
She completed her Master's Degree in San Marcos.
Lona was the Texas State Senior Spelling Champion in 2002.
She also was an avid Bridge and Scrabble player.
Lona and Marshall were married 62 years.
Survivors include her three children, Jo Gidley of Albany Oregon, John Riemenschneider of Fort Worth and Mary Reid of Killeen; eight grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Taylor Johnson of Childress and her sister, Jeanie Johnson, of Midland.

A private family memorial will be held at the Johnson family cemetery near Crowell, Texas. Because of Lona's love of children's, memorials may be made to Medina Children Home at 21300 State Hwy 16 North, Medina, Texas 78055.

Memorial Contributions