MARGARET JEAN JOHNSON

1923 - 2011

Margaret Jean Johnson, 87, died peacefully Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, at her Somonauk, Ill., home.
Born May 1, 1923, in Sandwich she was the third child of Harley and Esther (Hadlock) Herzog. Following graduation from Somonauk High in the class of 1941, she entered the St. Joseph Hospital (Aurora) School of Nursing. She left her RN studies to marry Duane D. Johnson of Leland on July 11, 1942.
The couple farmed near Leland until 1961 when they moved to Somonauk, where Duane had established Somonauk Insurance and Realty, a business still active, headed by son Michael. During the '60s and '70s Duane and Jean founded Hi Tide Recreation, near the family farm. Mrs. Johnson was the onsite manager of the campground, swimming lake, and teen-age beach dance venue.
The woman most knew as Jean bustled through life with an energy that blessed her family, her community and many civic organizations.
Whether it was WSCS and Sunday school, not to mention the turkey supper at Leland Methodist Church – on to Sunshine Band, fundraising for the church addition at Somonauk's Union Congregational – Jean took her faith seriously and actively. During their retirement winters in Mesa, Ariz., Jean taught Sunday school at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and volunteered at the Lutheran Thrift Shop.
She served on the boards of the Somonauk Library and the Sandwich Hospital, helping to found the Sandwich Antiques Market as a benefit for the hospital. For any benefit dinner in Somonauk, she would bake pies or cookies, and even into her 80s, she would work such events with vigor.
A favorite saying, passed on to her children and grandchildren was "Can't never did anything." She undertook tasks, interest, and activities with purpose and willingness.
She leaves to her family and friends, legacies: always a book or a crossword puzzle or a game to keep the mind active; a love of nature that included bird watching and hiking and visiting state and national parks; a commitment that translated into action for church and community.
Marriage and family were the focus of her life. She was married to Duane for 67 years until his death in 2009. They were the parents of Michael D. (Ruth) of Leland, Susan K. (Paul) Larson of Leland, Cynthia J. (Bill) Henrikson of Peoria and Patricia Ann (John) Groves of Bloomington. Grandchildren are Jeremiah, Sarah and Jessie Johnson; Kevin and Andrew Larson; Seth Henrikson and Emily Cotton; Jay Anderson, Joshua Marcum, Suzanne Ashworth and Rachel Marcum. There are 17 great-grandchildren.
She will rest in Little Indian Creek Cemetery, across the road from what was "Great Grandpa Johnson's" farm in 1942. She and Duane lived their first year of married life on that farm. The marker for their grave is a granite rock engraved with the words "Sweethearts forever."
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at Union Congregation Church, with the Rev. Kirk Moore and the Rev. Bob Dell officiating. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home, 13160 Route 34 West, Somonauk; 815-498-2363.
Memorials can be made to Union Congregational Church of Somonauk, Somonauk Public Library or Little Indian Creek Cemetery Association.
Visit www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com for more information or to sign the online guest book.