Nancy Johnson

Nancy Ann “Nan” Johnson, age 77, of Wood River Township, and formerly of Frederic, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Nancy was born in Norwalk, Wisconsin, on November 14, 1936.  Her teen years were spent in Milwaukee where she graduated high school and attended college.  Nancy married Norman L. “Norm” Johnson in Juneau, Alaska, on May 11, 1984.  He passed away on May 14, 2004.  Nan and Norm lived in Petersburg, Alaska for 7 years and in the Juneau, Alaska area for 23 years where Norm was a bush pilot and Oceanographer.  Nan loved flying with him in his different planes - accompanying him on job assignments, transporting seriously ill patients by air, and flying over the many natural wonders of Alaska.  During the warm months, Nan was seen enjoying the ride on the back of Norm’s motorcycle.  Her love of Alaska included fishing for halibut and salmon.  She loved to travel, and in 1987, Nan visited 30 different countries in 90 days.  In 1998, Nan and Norm established the Blue Fork Ostrich Ranch in Frederic which they operated until 2005.  She loved making new friends wherever she went, and was very well liked by all she came in contact with.  Her social skills allowed her to be a successful waitress and personal care worker, and also to operate a home daycare center.  Nan greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and sharing the many stories of her past adventures.  She was highly interested in Egyptian history and archaeology.  She loved watching older classic movies and watching tv channel 45, especially the shows - Cash Cab, Friends, and Seinfeld.  Nan was known for her memorabilia collections of elephants, lighthouses, and crystals.  She prized her collection of Churchill Blue Willow China and Norman Rockwell prints.  She was also extremely fond of her “Our Daily Bread” plaque. Surviving are a son, Robert (Jacki) Koser; a brother Bill Hieronymus; sisters: Mary May (Marti) Gardell, Lorraine (Ron) McAuly, and Irene (Billy) Kramer; sisters: Ramona Colbert and Darlene Hamilton; and special friend, Andy Alden.  She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Jeremy Tinny, Mike Koser (Tanya), Kamie (Craig) Law, Tie’Anna Koser Osborn, Matthew Koser, and Katrina-Ann Koser; Christopher McNeal, Jason McNeal, and Josh McNeal; and Mikel Sanford (Brenda), Mark (Katie) Sanford, and Ashly Sanford; as well as numerous great grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and great nieces and great nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, George and Olga (Galstad) Dahlstrand; her birth parents, Lyle Elke and Mary Hieronymus; her husband, Norman L. Johnson; and brothers: Phillip Dahlstrand, Danny Hieronymus, and Frank Hieronymus. The Memorial Service honoring the life of Nancy Ann “Nan” Johnson will be conducted at 2:00 pm, (visitation 1- 2pm) Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Central United Methodist Church, 301 S. Pine St., Grantsburg, WI, with Rev. Carolyn Saunders officiating.  In lieu of flowers, Nan’s family would appreciate memorials.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Grantsburg, Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.