Joanne Elsie Johnson

Joanne Elsie Johnson, 80, was called to her heavenly home on September 30, 2018.  Born in Springfield on July 9, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Paul and (Karin) Ingeborg Johnson, immigrants from Sweden. She graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1956, and studied nursing at The Springfield Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1959.  Joanne went on to pursue a long career in nursing, only giving up her license earlier this year. She worked in various nursing settings, most recently at Wingate nursing home of Hampden. In addition to nursing skills, Joanne had musical skills and was an active member of her church music program for many years, participating in the choir and also small ensembles.  She was a member of the Covenant Church her entire life. Joanne loved to travel and traveled many times to Europe, visited the Holy Land, and especially loved her many trips to Sweden to connect with relatives. She leaves her cousin, Ernest Johnson and his wife Vivian of Stratford, Iowa; their children, Linda and husband Warren Schoonover of Hampden, Nancy and husband Jerry Janney of Stratford, IA, Brenda and husband Jay Stackhouse of Frederic WI, and Bill Johnson and his significant other Noelia of Schaumburg IL. Joanne had a special place in her heart for all of their children, Charlie, Krista, Jeremiah, Kelsie, Sam, Nate, Adina, Kyle, Vivian and Adam. She also leaves numerous cousins and second cousins in Sweden. We wish to thank Dino Pietroniro for being a great neighbor and friend in times of need.  Thanks also to Caretenders Home Health Care for the excellent care she received at home on and off for the last year and a half. A Memorial Service for Joanne will be held Monday morning at 10:45 AM at Orchard Covenant Church, 95 Berkshire St., in Indian Orchard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Orchard Covenant Church or Evangelical Covenant Church of Springfield. For more information, please visit us at www.byronkeenan.com