A funeral service celebrating the life of Betsey L. Johnson, 91, of Newark, Ohio, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at New Hope Lutheran Church, 1137 Sharon Valley Road in Newark. The  Rev. Mark Hartsough will officiate. Burial will follow in Wilson Cemetery.

Betsey passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, at her home with her family by her side.

She was born Dec. 29, 1926, in Worth County, Iowa, to the late John and Ida (Loken) Dagestad. She married Robert M. Johnson on Feb. 2, 1947.

She was a charter member of Our Savior Lutheran Church — now New Hope Lutheran Church. She participated with the ladies guild and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Betsey was always busy working outside of the home for State Farm Insurance Co. and Sears. She also had many other earlier jobs, selling Stanley Products and Fashion Two Twenty at home parties.

She was an excellent baker and baked many pies for the Hi-Boy Restaurant on Route 79.

Betsey volunteered at Licking Memorial Hospital, Twigs, Heartbeats of Licking County and Central Ohio Hospice Light Up a Life. She also prepared and served sorority dinners at Denison University.

Betsey enjoyed playing bridge, knitting, sewing and making crafts, along with spending time with her large family and many relatives. She especially enjoyed her many trips to Norway to visit relatives.

Betsey is survived by her four daughters, Borgany (Mike) Bierly, Kathleen A. Mathis, Patricia (George) Nagy and Ilene Johnson; two special nieces, Catherine Johnson and Ranae Montgomery; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.

In addition to her parents, Betsey was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Johnson, in 1989; an infant son and daughter; two brothers, Palmer Dagestad and Ingvald Dagestad; two sisters, Ruth Ranum and Janette Schave; and beloved son-in-law, David Mathis.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at The Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service, 59 North Fifth St. in Newark.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Lutheran Church at 1137 Sharon Valley Road, Newark, Ohio 43055; or to the Foundation for Hospice of Central Ohio at Post Office Box 430, Newark, Ohio 43058.

Visit www.hendersonvanatta.com to view a memorial and to leave a message of condolence for the Johnson family.