Martha Kathryn Himmel Johnson

Martha Kathryn Himmel Johnson, 87, of Conway, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2015. A lover of music, nature and people, she touched many lives and made people better. Martha was born on November 22, 1927, to Edward Himmel and Ruth Kathryn Speicher Himmel in Aurora, Illinois. She grew up in Naperville, Illinois, across the street from North Central College, where her father taught botany. This early exposure to a collegiate lifestyle would follow her for her entire life. Martha received a bachelor's degree, majoring in math and German, from North Central and a master's degree in mathematics education from the University of Wisconsin. In 1946, Martha, then a sophomore at North Central, dropped a book while returning it to the college library. A young man picked up the book for her. They introduced themselves to each other and five years later, on September 1, 1951, Martha and Arthur Albin Johnson were wed. In 1955, Art was offered a teaching position at Hendrix College. Arthur accepted the job, which would relocate the young couple to Conway, the place they would call home for the rest of their lives. They had five children together. Martha held various jobs at Hendrix, including part-time teaching positions in Algebra, German and Education, and later a full-time position at the Hendrix Library, where she supervised book acquisitions and student payroll for 18 years. A lifetime lover of music, Martha instilled that love in her children and grandchildren. Many happy times were spent around the family piano, singing folk songs and Christmas carols. Martha was a member of the Conway First United Methodist Church Choir for decades. She also was very involved in her community including participation in the Friends of the Faulkner County Library, the Conway Shakespeare Club, and the Conway Orpheus Club. She was a founding member of the Conway Human Relations Council, which worked to integrate the Conway School System. She was also a troop leader and lifetime member of the Girl Scouts. Martha was very active in the Arkansas Audubon Society and served the organization in various capacities. She managed the Conway Christmas Bird Count for 33 years and maintained the Faulkner County bird records. Her name was synonymous with bird watching in Conway. Any curious or unseasonal bird sighting in town typically prompted a call to Martha Johnson to determine the bird's identity. Martha and Art were also instrumental in the founding of the Arkansas Audubon Society Halberg Ecology Camp, an annual summer camp for young people that features studies in various areas of natural history. Martha and Art had a "second home" at their beloved Lake Itasca, Minn. For many years, the couple traveled to Minnesota every summer and took up residence at the University of Minnesota Biological Station, where Arthur would conduct his research and Martha would enjoy the cooler temperatures and the natural surroundings of the Minnesota big woods. Martha is survived by her husband of 63 years, Arthur Johnson of Conway; a brother, Joseph Himmel of Greeley, Colo.; five children, Kathy (Jay) McDaniel of Conway, Krissy Johnson (Mike Manion) of Conway, David Johnson (Nancy Murray) of Delaware, Ohio, Paul Johnson (Sharon Hartley-Hoyng) of College Station, Texas, and Julie (Sonny) Rhodes of North Little Rock; 15 grandchildren, Winifred Johnson of Woods Hole, Mass., Martha Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, Jason McDaniel of Providence, R.I., Matt McDaniel of San Antonio, Texas, Adrienne Shields, Jordann Palasota, Taylor Hoyng and Joshua Hartley-Hoyng, all of College Station, Texas, Jeremy Rhodes of North Little Rock, Katie Rhodes of Memphis, Tenn., Calvin Manion of Russellville, Wesley, Sam and Natalie Manion, all of Conway, and Abby Rhodes of North Little Rock; and six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Conway First United Methodist Church, with a reception afterward. A private committal service will be held that afternoon. Pallbearers will be grandsons Calvin, Wesley, Sam, Jason, Matt and Jeremy. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of the following: AAS Halberg Ecology Camp, 804 Konrad Court, Little Rock Ark. 72223; Conway First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince Street, Conway, Ark. 72034; or to the Dr. Arthur A. and Martha Johnson Scholarship at Hendrix College, Office of Development, 1600 Washington Ave., Conway, Ark. 72032. Online guest book, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.