Myrtle Stella John

Myrtle Stella John

January 9, 1927 - March 24, 2025

Myrtle Stella John (née Atkins), age 98, died peacefully on March 24, 2025, after living a long, happy and most fulfilling life.

Born in the Wembley area of London, England, Myrtle was a young girl during WWII—an event that left an indelible mark and did much to shape the attitudes, perspective and demeanor for the rest of her life. Myrtle vividly recalled memories of spending long nights in air raid shelters to escape the frequent German bombing raids on London. It was during these fright-filled nights that Myrtle first learned how to knit—a pastime she continued into later life. No doubt those nights also helped instill her unyielding strength, grit and determination, as well as her lust for life. She never seemed to ever forget the wartime food rationing either, which helped cultivate her great appreciation for fine marmalade, her deep disdain for peanut butter, and (to the chagrin of her children) her serving somewhat modest portions of food at mealtimes.

Myrtle qualified as a teacher in England, and she taught at a number of schools before and in the early years after marrying Wyn John, her husband of 67 years. A devoted wife and mother, Myrtle supported her husband throughout his career, first accompanying Wyn to Egypt, where he was stationed with the RAF and, ultimately, to America, when Wyn's work for 3M brought the family to Minnesota in 1975.

Myrtle also supported Wyn throughout his two terms serving as mayor of Lake Elmo, and she was instrumental in Friends of Lake Elmo Library, the community organization that worked to save and successfully reopen the Lake Elmo Library in the mid 2000s. Helping to protect and preserve this valuable resource for future generations of Lake Elmo residents was an achievement of which Myrtle was justifiably proud.

Myrtle's training as teacher was evident in her stern, no-nonsense, approach to raising her four children (and also in managing her husband when it came to diet, exercise and his intake of wine, scotch or gin and tonics). Still, Myrtle upheld those same high standards in her daily life, too. Strict yet fair, Myrtle had high expectations for all her children, but her overwhelming pride was evident whenever she had the opportunity to introduce any of them to her many friends and acquaintances.

Growing up, Myrtle was a competitive swimmer, winning many trophies in backstroke. She also had a lifelong passion for tennis—playing well into her sixties—and continuing to follow Wimbledon, the US Open and other tournaments every year on TV.

Myrtle was a good cook, and always enjoyed a fine meal—especially when it was spent in the company of her children and their extended families—be it at the holidays or at summer barbecues by the lake. When it came to cooking, Myrtle was her own toughest critic. But if there was one thing she always insisted on (and as the servers at the Waters, Perkins and other local restaurants can attest), it was having "bendy bacon" with her breakfast.

In later life, Myrtle and Wyn lived on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul for many years before moving to the Waters in White Bear Lake. Together, they enjoyed traveling around the United States, to Europe, and to visit relatives and friends back in the UK. They also enjoyed going to the Guthrie Theater, the Ordway and attending various cultural events in Minneapolis and Saint Paul all year round.

"She was a great lady." That was the overwhelming opinion shared by many people when they first learned of Myrtle's passing. A great lady who will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends—some who she knew for more than 50 years, and others she met more recently as she continued to get to know new arrivals at the Waters.

Myrtle's family would like to thank Dr. April Abrahamson of Bluestone Physician Services for her ongoing help and support, the nurses at the Waters and Hospice of the Midwest for the wonderful care they gave Myrtle in her last days, as well as all the Waters staff and residents for the touching send-off they gave Myrtle after she passed.

Preceded in death by her loving husband, Wyn John, parents Walter and Emma Atkins, parents-in-law Gertrude (née Morgan) and Meredith John, stepmother Betty, sisters- and brothers-in-law Marjorie and Wallace Maylott and Joan and Neil Smith, sister-in-law Gwyneth Jones, brothers-in-law Geoffrey Jones and Haydn Thomas, and daughter-in-law Kelly John.

Survived by daughter Rhiannon O'Connor, MD (Scott, grandchildren Catherine and Megan, their respective partners Ryan and Jon and great-grandson Luke), son Rhys (Kari and grandchildren Jordan, Taylor, Brandon, Ian and Colin, and great-grandchildren Kinsley, Fallon and William), son Owen (Chris and grandchildren Allie Page (Zach), Dylan and Wyndham, and great-grandchildren Eddie and Noa), son Warren, sister-in-law Isobel Thomas, as well as respective nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Please make any donations to Opportunity Partners (opportunities.org).