Edith Margaret (Kersten) Johnson

Edith (Kersten) Johnson, 93, a resident of New Castle, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at her home. She was born March 22, 1931 in a farmhouse near Wheaton, Kansas to Jacob “Jake” and Christina (Hendricks) Kersten.

The family moved to Iowa in 1934. Edith graduated high school at Percival, Iowa. She attended Bethany Peniel College (now SNU) in Bethany, Oklahoma, where she met and fell in love with Garland Johnson. They got married August 30, 1951 in Carnegie, Oklahoma. Their marriage was officiated by her brother, Rev. Myron Kersten. Garland was pastor of churches in Missouri (while at seminary), Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Indiana. His longest pastorate was First Church of the Nazarene in New Castle, Indiana for nine years. Edith loved the people of the church in each place they pastored. A member of the Church of the Nazarene, she was always an encourager. Edith loved Bible studies, reading, working puzzles, playing Scrabble and spending time with family and friends. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Garland, and a brother, Rev. Myron Kersten.

She is survived by her brother, Leonard Kersten of Crowley, LA; three children, Mark Johnson of Yukon, Oklahoma, Margaret (Dan) Clark of Bourbonnais, Illinois and Annette (Mark) Goggin of New Lisbon, Indiana; grandchildren, Abby Johnson, Sarah Clark (Kevin) Burke, Andrew (Rachel) Clark, Kate Clark (Devin) Pardew, Laura Clark, Christina Goggin (Jason) Howard, Augustus “Gus” (Stephanie) Goggin; great grandchildren, Lucia, Samuel and Peter Burke, Ellis Howard, Paisley;Michael and Skylar Goggin; several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the First Church of the Nazarene with Pastors John Wessic, Jimmy Southerland and Randy Tooley officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 P.M. Friday, May 3 at the church. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, May 6, 2024 in Bethany Cemetery, Bethany, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions may be given to the First Church of the Nazarene, 1727 Grand Ave, New Castle, IN 47362.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. 

You may express condolences or share a memory of Edith at www.hinsey-brown.com