Rev. Anita Johnson graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL in 1990.  That same year she was ordained deacon and became a probationary member of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  In 1993 she was ordained elder and received as a full member of the conference.  Traer is the fourth Iowa parish she has served as pastor.  In her first year at Traer United Methodist, Anita is looking forward to future expansion of its ministries of worship, education, mission, evangelism, as well as stewardship of its buildings and financial resources.

The rest of the parsonage family consists of Anitas husband David Gardner and their two-year old son Benjamin.  Dave teaches elementary music and band at North Tama Schools.  They all like to sing, play or listen to music.  They also like to bicycle and watch movies.  Anita may be spotted literally running around Traer or working in the garden.  They are grateful to be living and working in Traer.