Johan Guss

Johan Kathleen McIntyre Guss, 88, of Troy, Virginia, passed away December 11, 2023, with her daughters by her side.

She was born to the late James and Virginia McIntyre on July 13, 1935, in West Clarksville, New York, and was the eldest of three daughters. Immediately following her graduation from Richburg Central High School in Richburg, New York, in June 1953, Johan joined the United States Air Force. She served as a records clerk at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. It was during her time at Carswell that she met the late Ronald Guss, an Air Force meteorologist from Villisca, Iowa, who became her life-long love. Johan liked to tell the story that Ron did not ask, "Will you marry me?" Instead, he asked if she would go to Canada and homestead with him. They were married on September 3, 1954, in Fort Worth, and were married 60 years. Their first child Alan was born in Fort Worth. Shortly thereafter Johan and Ron moved to Ames, Iowa, where Johan supported Ron in his pursuit of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University. Their children Sue, Bruce and Ruth were born during those college years.

Johan and Ron lived briefly in Conrad, Iowa, then in Renwick, Iowa, for four years where Johan attended Eagle Grove Community College. In 1968 they moved to Troy, Virginia, and Johan worked in various retail positions for Woolco and American Greetings cards, and as manager of the PX Exchange Store at the Judge Advocate General's legal Center and School in Charlottesville.

In 1989 Johan and Ron moved to New Market, Virginia, in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, where Johan indulged her love of gardening. She was a Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteer for 20 years and served as a coordinator for the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association. She also served in various chairmanships and eventually as president of the Cohee Garden Club. In addition, Johan served on the board of their subdivision's property owners association.

Johan and Ron returned to Troy, Virginia, in 2012, to be closer to several of their children and grandchildren. Johan was very proud of her children and grandchildren's accomplishments, and lovingly doted on her great-grandchildren from afar.

A woman of varied interests, Johan raised dairy goats, played the piano, read and journaled voraciously, and loved flowers and gardening. Johan's Christian faith was an essential part of her life, and she lived out her devotion to God by serving her family, her church, and her community. Her contributions included piano accompanist, Bible study presenter, and discussion leader for Bible Study Fellowship.

Johan is survived by son Alan Guss and wife Shara of Highland Village, Texas, daughter Sue Tepper and husband David of Troy, Virginia, son Bruce Guss and wife Elizabeth of Crozet, Virginia, daughter Ruth Guss and David Powell ofTroy, Virginia; four grandchildren, Britton Guss (Lauren), Bradley Guss (Naomi), Sean Guss (Rodney), and Gavin Powell; four great-grandchildren, Sadie, Gabriella, Eli, and Wyatt Guss; and two sisters, Sylvia Mitchell and Sonya Boyer. Johan was preceded in death by her parents, James and Virginia McIntyre, husband Ron Guss, and grandson Eric Guss.

Johan will be laid to rest next to Ron in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Guss, Iowa, in a private family ceremony.

The Guss, Tepper and Powell families wish to acknowledge the staff at Rosewood Village Greenbrier Memory Care for the exceptional care provided to their mother in her final days on earth. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rosewood Village in Johan's memory: www.rosewoodvillage.com.

Cards may be sent to the family at 6117 Union Mills Road, Troy, VA 22974.