Shirley E. Johnson

MADISON - Shirley E. Johnson died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at age 81, at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg after a brief battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 12, 1927, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Nels and Stella (Worth) Johnson. After graduation from Lutheran High School in 1945, and a brief stint with the telephone company, she worked at Great Lakes Naval Station for two years processing discharge papers for returning servicemen. She moved to Los Angeles where she attended night classes at L.A. City College while working at Macy's and the Public Library. She returned to Wisconsin and completed her B.A. in American history and an M.A. in library science at UW-Madison. Shirley started working at the UW-Extension Library in 1956, was appointed instructor in 1957, granted tenure in 1962, and named assistant professor in 1973. She was appointed director of the UW-Extension Library Services in January, 1977, and became extension historian in 1994. After 40 years of dedicated service, she retired from Extension Library in 1996 as assistant professor emerita. In her retirement she continued to volunteer as extension historian. With the assistance of UW-Extension technical staff, she developed the impressive UW-Extension history database, www.uwex.edu/history. Shirley received the 2006 UW-Extension Wisconsin Idea Award for her major role in providing specialized library service to all citizens of Wisconsin. She was also elected as a member of the International Library Science Honor Society, Beta Phi Mu. Shirley had many interests, including international travel, family genealogy, and history. She had extensive and diverse collections and an abundance of books reflecting all of her varied interests. She was a longtime and enthusiastic of the UW Medieval Studies Program, the UW Library School, and the UW women's volleyball and basketball, and men's basketball and football programs. She was a great supporter of the performing arts, traveling regularly to New York, Chicago, and Milwaukee performances. She was a subscriber to the Milwaukee and Madison Symphonies and Repertory Theaters, the UW-Early Music Festival, and Union Theater series. She was a lifelong Lutheran and a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. She cultivated a wide circle of friends associated with her work, travel and many interests. During her short illness she was grateful for the visits, cards and kindnesses from her many friends. Her never-ending curiosity, enthusiasm, and friendship will be greatly missed. Shirley is survived by a cousin, Wayne Worth of Kansas City, Mo. Arrangements are being handled by Cress Funeral Service, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705. Interment is at the Worth family plot at Lisbon-Merton Union Cemetery, Town of Lisbon. Visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL SERVICE on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at 2 p.m. followed by a service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Shirley E. Johnson to the UW Library School through the UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox, PO Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278, or to the HospiceCare Center through the HospiceCare Foundation Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.