Myrna Jane Johnson (nee Mutzeneek) – May 31, 1939, to July 4, 2026

Myrna, of Onoway, Alberta passed away following a brief hospital stay with her husband Ron and daughter Audrey at her side.

Myrna is survived by her loving husband of 67 years Ron, daughter Audrey and her husband Brian, daughter-in-law Ronda, grandchildren Kristen (Erin), Amanda, Alexandra, Nichelle (Olivier) and Trent, and great grandchildren Chloe, Joel and Nora.  She is also survived by sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews and close friends.  Myrna was predeceased by her oldest daughter Kathy in 2007, son Ronald in 2023, parents William (Bill) and Kay Mutzeneek, her brothers Bill and Leonard and her sister Sandra.

Myrna grew up on the family farm in Darwell, Alberta.  She attended Lake Isle School and as the oldest, was often required to pull and drag her younger siblings to school.  She enjoyed many of her early years with cousins going to local dances and visiting with her mom’s sisters and their families.

When Myrna was in Grade 11 at Darwell School a young man named Ron, who was working construction for the Lac Ste Anne School Division, noticed her and became smitten.  The feeling was mutual and when Myrna moved to Sangudo to attend Grade 12, their romance continued.  During months when the roads were impassible due to inclement weather or spring rains, their courtship was conducted by writing letters to one another.

After high school Myrna attended the accelerated teacher’s training program through the University of Alberta.  She spent two summers attending classes while living with her aunt Anne Muir in Edmonton.  

Myrna taught at Rich Valley School for two years and lived in housing provided for teachers adjacent to the school.  As luck would have it, Ron’s family lived close by and their courtship blossomed into marriage in June of 1959.  Once married, Myrna and Ron moved to Sangudo.  Kathy came along in June of 1960, followed by Audrey in July of 1961.  In 1963 Ron and Myrna applied and were accepted to become custodians of the schools in Onoway, which resulted in their move to Onoway. In August of 1964 Ronald was born and in 1965 the family of five moved into the home where Myrna lived with Ron until her passing.

Always a team, Myrna and Ron built their custodial business and established Myron Cleaning Services in 1981.  They continued their custodial work at the schools and branched out into carpet cleaning and later furnace cleaning. Ron and Myrna retired in 1999.

Volunteering was an important part of Myrna’s life.  While working, she was a member of the Royal Purple and participated in the United Church’s women’s groups. Post retirement, Myrna and Ron were active in the Fish and Game Association, and Myrna worked with the head cook at the Narrow Lake Conservation Camp for a number of summers.  She also volunteered at the Bissell Thrift store in Onoway.  Myrna and Ron travelled and loved experiencing new places, from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and China.  And together they camped, fished, hunted, and travelled across Canada two times.  They also loved the north – Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska. 

Above and beyond it all, Myrna was a woman that cared deeply for her family and her friends. Myrna was always there when Kathy, Audrey or Ronald needed her – from providing advice as they navigated growing up, school life, and then when they left home and started their careers.  She never judged their decisions but gently questioned why they might want to follow a certain path, enabling some sober second thought.  She was always available for a phone call to provide a comforting ear, and to celebrate special events.

Being a grandmother and great grandmother were some of the biggest joys of her life.  She was thrilled with the arrival of each one and all were made to feel uniquely special.  All five grandchildren experienced the ritual of coffee and cookies in bed with Grandma and Grandpa, were taken on camping and fishing trips, or just days to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa.  Myrna was a confidante to her grandchildren, providing a safe place for them to share things that were important to them. She proudly told Audrey that she never shared anything that she was told. The great grandkids were all loved equally and there was usually a container of candies made especially for each of them.  

Myrna had a deep interest in people and places.  She loved hearing about the lives of her siblings, in-laws and their families. Myrna had the special ability to make everyone who came through her and Ron’s door a part of the family.  She was curious and wanted to know what was important to others. If someone had been on a trip, or at a special event, she asked questions or looked at pictures in great detail, simply because she wanted to know more about a place or an adventure.

Myrna was a shining light and has left a lasting legacy of grace, wisdom and generosity. Her family, especially her husband Ron, will profoundly feel her absence.  

In accordance with her wishes, Myrna’s family will hold a private gathering to remember her and to celebrate her life.  In lieu of flowers, Myrna’s family requests charitable donations be made to Light Up Your Life Society (4405 South Park Drive, Stony Plain, Alberta, T7Z 2M7) a palliative care and hospice organization that cared for Kathy and Ronald before they passed.