Fern Louise (Evans) Steen Johnson

June 30, 1929 – September 24, 2026

Fern Louise (Evans) Steen Johnson, beloved grandmother, a woman of profound faith, gentle wisdom and boundless love, passed away at the age of 97 on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at the Schuyler County Nursing Home in Queen City, Missouri.

A devoted Christian and a proud country wife, Granny lived a life defined by hard work, unwavering loyalty, and a fierce devotion to her family. She was the beloved matriarch of a sprawling family tree-a loving mother to three children and a treasured grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother to many.

Granny was known to all not just for her kind and steadfast spirit, but for her extraordinary talents in the kitchen. She was universally recognized by her family as one of the best cooks in the world, effortlessly bringing generations together around her table to share in the warmth of her home and the fruits of her lifelong labor.

The daughter of William Clinton and Cora Elizabeth (Leedom) Evans, she was born on June 30, 1929 in Glenwood, Missouri. She was united in marriage to Marvin Keith Steen on December 28, 1943 and to this union three children were born, Ellis Keith, Betty and Jackie. After Marvin Keith (Jake) Steen passed away, Fern was united in marriage to Ted Alvin Johnson on February 23, 1990.

Survivors include her daughter in law, Debbie Pettit of Moulton, Iowa; stepchildren, Alvin Johnson and Kevin Johnson; 6 grandchildren, Jeff Steen, Keith Steen, Crystal Teater, Brian Steen, Robin Swem and Lecia Hartsock; 10 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; other family members and many good friends.

Fern is preceded by her parents; children, Ellis Keith Steen and wife, Sheri, Betty Hartsock and husband, Robert and Jackie Steen; stepchildren, Evan Johnson, Melvin Johnson and Nevin Johnson; 1 great grandson, Dakota Lee Davis; 2 brothers, Richard “Dick” Evans and wife, Carolyn and James C. Evans and one sister, Hazel Whitlow and husband, Louie.

She loved her family fiercely, and they loved her deeply in return. Though her physical presence will be profoundly missed, the legacy of her wisdom, her country roots, and her enduring love will be remembered always by those she knew. Her journey has not ended but just begun, for now the stars will truly shine bright!!!

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Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Beverly Smyser officiating. Special musical selections of “One Day At A Time” and “In The Garden” will be performed. Pallbearers will be Jeff Steen, Keith Steen, Matthew Steen, Braydin Shaffer, Keith Steen, Jr. and Jamie Evans. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral services from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the Schuyler County Nursing Home or Glenwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be directed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery in Glenwood, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.