Minerva Adela Johnson passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at her residence at the Chateau Assisted Living Facility in Gardnerville, Nevada, with family in attendance. She was 93 years old.

Minerva was born on July 5, 1932, in Monterrey, Mexico, the daughter of Victoria and Alberto Ayala. She greatly enjoyed growing up in a large family in Mexico, where she loved the mountains, the local university in Monterrey and the busy hum of everyday life in a big city. Staying busy would mark the rest of her life, she preferred life on the go, whether it was a quick trip shopping, playing nickel slots in a local casino, or an adventure halfway across the globe.

After graduating from high school in Monterrey and true to her adventurous spirit she decided to attend college in San Antonio, Texas, graduating with an Associate degree in Business. It was here that she met a young Air Force fighter pilot who was stationed at nearby Bergstrom Air Force Base. This pilot, Walter Johnson, would be the love of her life and future husband. They would be married in San Antonio on April 24, 1954.

They raised 4 children over the years, primarily in Southern California, although Walter’s employment as a Civil Engineer took him to Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia. They settled in the area around San Bernardino, Riverside and Norco in Southern California to raise their family. Minerva’s family and her devotion to her Catholic faith were pillars of her life. She was active at St. Mel’s parish in Norco for years. Their lives took them briefly to Reno and they finally retired to Las Vegas for 30 years, where Walt and Minerva were active members of Christ the King Catholic Community.

Minerva combined work with raising her children. She was a translator for the San Diego Tribune and worked as a corporate secretary for various companies in the area. She would often be working around the home until 1AM cleaning and doing meal prep before heading to bed for some sleep before starting her outside work the next day. Friends remember her warm smile and eye contact that let them know she was listening and focused on conversation s.

Minerva was married to Walter for nearly 69 years before his passing in January of 2023. She is survived by her brother in law Gilbert Johnson (Mary Anne) of Oakley, CA, her son Michael Johnson of Las Vegas and daughters Renee Schrader of Las Vegas, Teresa Houston (Jerry) of Minden, Nevada and Lydia Bolen (Edward) of Takoma Park, Maryland. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday, July 31, at Davis Funeral Home, 1401 South Rainbow in Blvd. in Las Vegas. Visitation is at 10AM, with a funeral mass beginning at 11AM. Minerva will be buried with her husband Walter at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. Services there will be held Friday, July 31 at 1:20PM.