Pamela Dea Johnson

Pamela Dea Johnson, Ph.D., of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2016, at her home in the presence of her friends and family.  Following a week of tests in January, 2013, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Pam was diagnosed with Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare, incurable, and untreatable progressive neurological disease.  A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Pam’s Life will begin at 4:30 PM, on Tuesday, July 26th, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island is assisting the family.

Pam Johnson was born on November 13, 1943, in Moline, Ill., to Peter and Doryse Beckwith Johnson.  She graduated from Rock Island High school in 1961.  Pam earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1965 from the University of Iowa, her Master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1979, and her Doctorate from Iowa State University in 1995.  Pam was committed to education in Iowa for over forty years, initially as an elementary school teacher in Waterloo.  She subsequently served as a member of the Iowa Talented and Gifted program design team, and then as President of ITAG from 1999-2000.  She was also an administrator in the West Des Moines School District, and retired from Iowa public education as a Program Consultant at the Mississippi Bend Area Education Association in 2006.

Pam was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, singing in the Chorale Choir, and serving on the Church Council.  Pam also served as an usher and an ALPHA facilitator.  St. Paul was at the center of Pam’s faith life; Pam “Walked the Talk”!

In addition to St. Paul, she was a member of P.E.O. and Volunteers for Symphony.  Pam was also one of the four charter members of the GLL, a wonderfully supportive group of gifted educators. 

Pam married Jack Kindschuh in 1998 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines.  Pam and Jack moved from West Des Moines to Bettendorf in 1999, returning to their Quad City roots.  Pam is survived by her husband, Jack; two children from a previous marriage, Melissa Maranda (fiancé, Bard Bigelow), Bettendorf and Jim (Stephanie) Tansey, Bettendorf; step-son, John (Cindy Traub) Kindschuh; grandchildren, Zach Tansey, Alexis Tansey, Allison Maranda, Connor Maranda, Ryan Kindschuh and Maggie Kindschuh; and a sister, Janis Judd of Boulder, Colo.   Pam was preceded in death by her father; mother; and sister and brother-in-law, Shari and Nat Baird. 

Her courage and grace over the last several years while dealing with PSP and the knowledge of its savage progressive nature was a source of strength for all who were close to her.  Pam never complained, as PSP took control of her body.  She maintained a positive attitude until the very end and was appreciative of the frequent visits by family, neighbors and friends.  Pam and her family are grateful for the loving care by many of the Home Instead and Hospice Compassus caregivers, who became trusted members of Pam’s family.

In lieu of flowers (or plants), memorials may be made to the Dr. Pam Johnson Educational Foundation or St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa.

Online condolences can be left at wheelanpressly.com.

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