Myra A. Johnson

Madison - Myra A. Johnson, long time resident of Madison, Wis., died peacefully surrounded by family at Lyngblomsten Care Center in St. Paul on August 17, following a short illness. She was born in Vernon County, Wis., on January 28, 1922, to Mabel (Hatlan) and Tollie Simonson. She graduated from Readstown High School in 1940 and moved to Madison, where she worked for Kayser Ford and Northwestern Mutual. During World War II she worked in a factory in Rockford, Ill., supporting the war effort. She met her husband, Francis L. Johnson, at Bethel Lutheran Church; they were married March 9, 1957.

She is survived by daughters Cindi Beth Johnson (Thor Mickelson), Dagni Lee (David), and dearly loved grandchildren Ryan, Kyle, Erik, Nataliya, and Tatiana Lee. She is also survived by siblings Ardella Ceneskie (Carl), Tollie Simonson (Elaine), Bertha Numedahl (Ken), and nieces, nephews, and additional family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Sidney, Burnie, Tilman, and Norman Simonson. Her beloved husband, Fran, died November 2002.

Though her last months were near her daughters in Minnesota, she loved Wisconsin. The child of a farming family, she loved the land, gardening, and drives in the country. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. A longtime member of Bethel Lutheran, her faith grounded and shaped her understanding of life and death.

A visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 23, 2010 at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison. A visitation will also be held one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday at FRANKLIN LUTHERAN CHURCH in Readstown.

The family wishes to extend their great appreciation to the incredible caregivers on the Lokensgaard and Norway neighborhoods at Lyngblomsten, as well as the PT and OT staff, and to Dr. Peter Idsvoog in Madison. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Bethel Horizons, Lyngblomsten Foundation, or Franklin Lutheran Church. We will miss her graciousness, her love, and her sweet smile.