Irene J. Johnson

Irene J. Johnson, 88, of Evergreen Retirement Community, Oshkosh, Wis., formerly of Grand Junction, Colo., and Quincy, died Wednesday (May 11, 2011).

She was born Dec. 13, 1922, in Quincy, a daughter of Lawrence and Alice Slavin Gronemeyer. On Aug. 23, 1942, she married Blaine Johnson in Vicksburg, Miss.

During World War II and the post war period, she and her husband lived on various USAF bases in addition to residing in Quincy.

Mrs. Johnson was a graduate of Quincy College with a B.S. in education. From 1967 to 1987, she was a teacher at Unit 4 School District in Mendon. She was a member of I.E.A. and N.E.A teacher organizations. She volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother and was a member of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ where she was also a choir member and taught Sunday school. Upon retirement from flying and teaching, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson moved to Grand Junction in 1990.

During her lifetime, she inspired others with her love of birds, cats, flower gardening, sewing, crocheting and classical music.

Much appreciation goes to the Evergreen Retirement Community residents who got to know her, Creekview South staff who made her short stay in Household 7 most pleasant, along with the Heartland Hospice team.

She is survived by daughters, Shirley Grunloh, Oshkosh, Maureen Johnson, Colorado, and Pattie (Jim) Timmerwilke, Colorado; and son, Blaine "Mike" (Barb) Johnson, California; a brother, Alan Gronemeyer, Texas; a sister, Susanne Holland, Nevada; seven grandchildren, Lisa (Jim) Dorschner, Oshkosh, Carla Grunloh, Florida, Calvin Johnson (Colleen), Georgia, Jeff Timmerwilke (Teri), Virginia, Jamie Timmerwilke, Colorado, Eric Fischer (Stacey), Quincy and Marcy (Brent) Bigley, Quincy; and 18 great-grandchildren, Gloria, Raymond, John and Mary Josephine Dorschner, Elliot, Scout and Scotti, Cynthia, Daniel and Catherine Johnson, Michaela Timmerwilke, Shelby, Shay, Katie and Kristi Bigley and Stacy, Austin and Abigail Fischer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Alice Georgine "Georgie" Johnson on Feb. 12, 1985; her husband, Blaine, on March 28, 2006; and a great-grandson, Louis Andrew Dorschner on Feb. 5, 2009.

SERVICES: 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held later at Evergreen in Oshkosh.

VISITATION: 1 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Evergreen Retirement Community's Chapel Fund, American Heart Association or to Oshkosh Humane Society.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.