Dena L. Johnson, 88, of Malta, Illinois, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva.

She was born August 12, 1936, in Goreville, IL, the daughter of Byford Newton and Verla Billingsley.

Dena enjoyed golfing. She loved cooking, baking, decorating, sewing, quilting, feeding/watching the birds, and flower gardening. She enjoyed spending time with all of her family.  Most of all she loved spending time with her four grandchildren, watching them grow, and celebrate their lives.

Dena was a longtime member of Calvary Lutheran Church, where over the years was in different church groups.  She was very active in the Stewardship Sewing Group, helping make and donate several quilts over the years. She worked as a teller at the Resource Bank for over 25 years, and never missed a day of work.

She is survived by her children Mark Johnson and Amy(Barry) Sanford; grandchildren Riley Johnson, Lucy( Josh) Elliot, Preston(Sadey Maly) Sanford and Geena Sanford,; Siblings Gene Newton and Rita Belcher; and many nieces and nephews who she was very close to.

She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin; her parents; and her brother Bill Newton.

A visitation will be held on Friday December 6, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 S 4TH St, DeKalb, IL 60115.

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, family and friends will gather for a visitation from 10am until time of Funeral Service 11am at Calvary Lutheran Church, 19 Perry Road, Lee, Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, in Lee, Illinois. 

Thank you to her very special friend Carol Johnson, who has always been there for her and the family.  Thank you also to Pastor Martha for her visits and guidance during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Johnson Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.