Susan Johnson

Susan Jo (Schoell) Johnson

Susan "Sue" Johnson died at UW Hospital on Sunday, February 20, 2022.  She was 63 years old.

Sue developed diabetes just before her twelfth birthday and battled that insidious disease for 52 years until receiving a life altering pancreas transplant this past September.

Sue was so grateful and excited about her new post diabetic life but tragically, in spite of being vaxxed, boosted, and vigilant, she contracted a breakthrough case of Covid 19 and her compromised immune system could not fight off the resulting pneumonia and heart damage.

Sue is survived by her heartbroken family: daughter Amy Kemnitzer, son Max (Missy) Kemnitzer; adored grandsons Tyler and Andrew Maertz and Wells Kemnitzer; her loving Pier group: Uncle Buzz (Mary) Pier, Aunt Sheila Pier (David) Johnson, Aunt Charlotte Pier (George Harrison) and their families.

She will also be greatly missed in the lives of special friends Rose and Bill Weber and Annabel Dapin Sunby.

Sue was predeceased by her beloved mother and grandmother, JoAnn Pier Schoell and Edith Pier, her infant son Joseph Kemnitzer, and son-in-law Shawn Maertz.

To all whose lives Sue touched, especially the hundreds of co-workers in her 30+ years employed at Dean Clinic, remember her love of life (no matter how many curve balls it threw at her), her indomitable spirit, and her sparkle.

Sue's family will be forever grateful to Dr. Odorico, who performed her transplant surgery, his team at UW Hospital and Nancy the coordinator of the UW Transplant Clinic who navigated Sue's transplant journey and recovery.  If only...

"They whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before.  They are now wherever we are."

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406