Obituary - M. Madelene Johann

M. Madelene Johann, 86, of Lewiston, Genesee

GENESEE -- M. Madelene Johann, a longtime Lewiston and Genesee resident, died of congestive heart failure Tuesday at her home in Genesee. She was 86.

She was born Dec. 17, 1907, at Shawnee, Okla., to Floyd G. and Virginia E. McKinney Nichols.

The family moved to Lewiston in 1915 and she graduated from Lewiston High School in 1926.

She married Harley E. Thompson May 21, 1927, at Asotin. He died Jan. 20, 1945.

During the 1940s she worked at the Bollinger Hotel in Lewiston. She married Lee Johann July 16, 1950.

The couple lived at Tucson, Ariz. for three years before returning to Idaho and making their home at Genesee. Her husband died Jan. 3, 1984.

She worked at the Latah County Nursing Home and as a Tupperware dealer during the 1960s. She and her husband raised their nephews, Bruce J. Nichols of Louisville, Ky., and Ronald D. Nichols of Los Angeles.

She was a member of the 8-40 Club and the American Legion Auxiliary No. 58, both at Genesee, and served as the auxiliary's 2nd District president at Mountain Home, Idaho, in 1979. She also was a member of the Women of the Moose at Moscow and was a deaconess at Genesee Community Church for many years.

Her favorite hobby was making quilts. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

Survivors include three daughters, Helen J. Hunt of Cottonwood, Virginia N. Leonard of Lewiston, and Kay E. Grende of Genesee; 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Eugene H. Thompson; three brothers, Joseph Nichols, Floyd G. Nihcols Jr. and Thomas D. Nichols; and a sister, LaNora Meyer.

Visitation hours are from 1 to 7 p.m today and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston with the Rev. J. Stanley Lyman officiating.

The family suggests memorials be given to Genesee Community Church.

Lewiston Tribune, June 16, 1994
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock

---