Mikel Jean Johnson

Mikel Johnson, 77, departed from this life on Monday, October 7, 2024, in Johnston, Iowa.

Mikel Jean “Jeannie” Cooper was born December 4, 1946, to Jean Kathryn and James Kelly Cooper. Mikel grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa, and graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1965. She attended the University of Iowa and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977. In 1992 she graduated from Drake University with a Master of Science and Rehab Counseling degree. In addition, she has a host of professional accomplishments and civic ties.

Notably, Mikel spent time as the Executive Director for the American Friends Service Committee, the Executive Secretary for the Midwest Region of the American Friends Service Committee, and the Executive Director for The Boys and Girls Club, both in Des Moines and Kansas City. She taught at Drake University and Emporia State University and before retirement, worked for the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission.

Mikel served on the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Christians and Jews as well as the Tai Village. She was instrumental in helping establish Anytown Iowa Youth Human Relations Leadership Camp and the Family Violence Center in Des Moines. She was a long-time member of the Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting.

Mikel loved spending time with her family and friends, reading, gardening, cooking for fun and as part of a gourmet chef club (along with a catering endeavor with a friend), taking in the arts in all forms, and volunteering for various causes. Though it is impossible to include all her involvements, she held long-term commitments to the Heritage Gallery, Kiwanis Miracle League, and sang with the Des Moines Diversity Choir. Mikel enjoyed extensive travel within the United States and abroad, including anti-Apartheid work in Africa, personal trips to New Zealand, Ireland, and Mexico, and various cross-country road trips to visit cherished friends and family. Mikel was also talented with a pen, from drawing to grant writing, for various non-profit organizations. In keeping with her love of people and community, she volunteered her skills to teach resume writing to those new to the workforce.

Those left to cherish her memory are her four children, Branda (Craig Anderson) Johnson of Memphis, Tennessee, J.B. (Grace) Johnson of Des Moines, Brooks (Monique) Johnson of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Bradley (Jackie) Johnson of Johnston; 27 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; her brother, David Cooper; and her sisters, Sue Miller and Shirley Ford.

Mikel was preceded in death by her parents, James Kelly and Jean Cooper; and her siblings, James K. Cooper III, Stephen D. Cooper, and Patricia Cooper.

Mikel leaves all who knew her with a legacy of love, advocacy, and service to others. We can honor her life by taking care of those around us.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Edencrest Green Meadows for their love and care for Mikel over the last two years.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation on Sunday, October 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the funeral service on Monday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. Private interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association and condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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