Eva Helen Johnson

Eva Helen Johnson was born January 16, 1934, in Biggs, CA, to her parents, Fred and Emma Abreu. She was the youngest of six children born to her parents and two half-siblings from her mother. Her family moved to Anderson Valley in 1943, when Eva was nine years old.

She attended Anderson Valley Elementary School and High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball and baseball and was a famed majorette. During her sophomore year, she started dating the love of her life, Floyd R. Johnson.

Eva graduated from Anderson Valley High School on June 13, 1951. Floyd and Eva were married in Reno, NV, on April 18, 1953, and continued the celebration with a reception back in Boonville. The newlyweds lived with Floyd’s mother, Inez, and stepfather, Russell Tolman. Eva continued to live with her in-laws after Floyd was drafted into the Army in August 1953. He returned after being discharged from active duty in October of 1954. A couple months later, on December 12, 1954, the couple moved to their permanent residence on the ranch, where they made their home. They welcomed their first child, Janese, in April 1955 and their second child, Gary, in November 1958. Eva raised their children, maintained their home, and assisted with the bookwork, and Floyd ran the operations of the family ranch.

In 1967, they bought the Redwood Drive-In with their friends, Donald and Donna Pardini. Donna and Eva ran the diner until Donna fell ill, and they sold it in 1979. After selling the Drive-In, Eva spent a short time as a nutrition specialist at the elementary school until deciding to focus on helping Floyd with the ranch.

She lost her husband on January 12, 1992. As much as Eva lost a part of herself with Floyd’s death, she “tied a knot in the rope and carried on.” With her family’s help, the ranch could carry on successfully, and it still does today.

Over the years, Eva took on several jobs outside the house: a saleswoman for Mysteries By Mail through Soda Creek Press, the Executive Director of the Anderson Valley Senior Center, and a tasting room attendant for Scharffenberger Cellars until retiring back to the ranch in 2018. Amongst working multiple jobs, Eva had a hand in almost as many community events and clubs as she possibly could. She served on the boards of the Community Service District, Cemetery District, Mendocino County Fair, Wool Growers, and Bo Peeps. She also participated in clubs such as the Boontling Club, Independent Career Women, Mendocino County Cattlewomen, and many more.

If you asked her what her greatest accomplishment was, she would say her family, her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

Eva had a love for all things nature, singing and, music, and for dancing. She was a pioneer of her time and a pillar of grace, hard work, and orneriness.

 Eva passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 23, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Emma Abreu; her half-siblings Orin and Georgia; her siblings Fred, Mabel, and Emmagene; and her son-in-law, David. Eva is survived by her sister Ethel, numerous nieces and nephews, her daughter Janese, son Gary and wife Wanda, grandchildren Laura and husband Dave, JR and wife Kati, Lane and wife Mandi, and Nichole and husband Derek, and great-grandchildren Russell, Annalise, Jarett, Ember, Karissa, and Evaine.

A celebration of life will be held in the Apple Hall at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds on January 11, 2025, at 1:00 pm. A potluck will follow the services. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Eva’s honor to the Mendocino County Fairgrounds.