Elizabeth Ann Johnson

Madison - Elizabeth Ann Johnson, age 86, died peacefully on Friday, May 6, 2011. Elizabeth was born November 2, 1924 in LaCrosse, Wis., the daughter of Albert and Anna (Klein) Isenmann. She was the youngest of ten children. Elizabeth graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1942 and entered Cadet Nurse Training at Methodist Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minn., from 1943 to 1946. Elizabeth served as Duty Nurse LTJG, USN at Bethesda Naval Hospital until Oct. 12, 1954. During her time at Bethesda she served and cared for, as she would say, ""Seamen and Privates to Admirals and Generals, government officials and foreign dignitaries."" While at Bethesda, one of Elizabeth's proudest experiences was serving on the Honor Guard of military nurses at Arlington National Cemetery. The Honor Guard, comprised of two officer nurses from each branch of the military, performed honors in memory of military nurses interred at Arlington who served their country.
After her service in the Navy, Elizabeth worked as nurse in hospitals in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Connecticut. She moved to Madison and worked on the nursing staffs at Methodist and St. Mary's hospitals.
Elizabeth married Robert A. Johnson on February 25, 1972 at Messiah Lutheran Church. Elizabeth was a caring and loving companion to Robert. They shared 39 years wonderful years together. Elizabeth will be remembered as a skilled and caring professional who served her country and her community.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband Robert; sisters Harriet Bantly and Henrietta Shephardson of LaCrosse; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and three sisters.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11 a.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A visitation will be held prior to service beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Jeff VandenHeuvel will preside. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens.