Erna Marie Johnston, 97, of Fenton died Nov. 22, 2023, at her home. Mrs. Johnston had not finished high school yet when she decided to move to St. Louis to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone. She met her husband, Homer, when introduced by mutual friends and they married on February 15, 1947, at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in St. Louis. She quit her job at the telephone company to travel with Homer during his baseball days. As they started their family, they returned to St. Louis where Erna began her career at The Grove Company in Webster Groves, a high-end sportswear line that had a large presence in Texas and New York. She soon became office manager and oversaw the functions of the manufacturing department, eventually moving to managing the company’s customer service department. The company’s competitor, Intuitions, lured her away and this time it was Homer’s turn to follow her as they moved to New Jersey. She later retired from Intuitions, returning to St. Louis. Mrs. Johnston loved telling stories from her childhood that included her dog, Scout, and her love of riding horses on the family farm. Born Nov. 11, 1926, in Perryville, she was the daughter of the late Simon and Helen (Hotop) Hager. She was preceded in death by her husband: Homer Johnston
She is survived by a child: Karen (Joe) Staten; four grandchildren: Katie Feldmeier, Greg Staten, Pam (Greg) Reece and Grace Brown; six great-grandchildren: Andrew Feldmeier, Daniel Feldmeier, Jessi (Scott) Friese, Jacob Brown, Liam and Lilly Reece; a great-great-grandchild: Cayden Friese; and a grand-dog: Cole.
She also was preceded in death by three sons: Kevin, Bruce and Brian Johnston; a daughter: Nancy Sandlin Barr; siblings: Simon, Leroy, Norma and Mary and their spouses; and two grand-dogs: Cooper and Gio.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Road, in St. Louis. A visitation is scheduled for 9 a.m. until a service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main, in De Soto. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in De Soto. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.