Gloria Johnson

GLORIA J. JOHNSON, 86 ROCKFORD - Gloria J. Johnson, 86, of Rockford died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. Born Oct. 3, 1925, in Rockford; the daughter of Ernest H. and Anna (Nyquist) Lawson. Graduate of East High School, Class of 1943, University of Wisconsin-Madison with R.N. degree, and Northeastern University with a B.A. She married Ralph A. Johnson on Jan. 22, 1949; he died Dec. 20, 2002. Gloria was the director of clinical services for Visiting Nurses Association for 25 years, retiring in 1987. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, U.W. Madison Nurses Alumni Organization, Golden Agers, Center for Learning in Retirement, former Volunteer SwedishAmerican Hospital, and founding member of the board of directors of Crusader Community Health. She enjoyed luncheons with Visiting Nurses Association retirees and friends from high school, class of 1943. She loved to travel with her husband and children, visited all 50 States including Europe and wintered in Arizona for 10 years. Gloria enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survived by children, Gayle (Steven) Metcalf of Loves Park and Brent A. (Karla) Johnson of Belvidere; grandchildren, Jennifer (Tim) Gannon of Crystal Lake, Jeffrey (Kate) Metcalf of Coralville, Iowa, Heather Metcalf of Loves Park, Chad Johnson (fiancée, Cristina) of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Darren Johnson of Rockford; great- grandchildren, Gaven, Grace, Gloria, Lanie and Emerson, who knew her as GiGi; nephew, Hugh DeGroff (Linda) of Rockford; and niece, Quenlyn Larson (Dean) of Smith River, Calif. Predeceased by the love of her life, her husband and best friend, Ralph A. Johnson; parents; sisters, Marguerite Arbisi and Imogene Smith; and infant brother, LeRoy Lawson. The family would like to thank SwedishAmerican Home Health Care, especially Tracy and Lillian, and staff at Alpine Fireside, Comfort Keepers and VNA Hospice. Service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m.; the Rev. Jay Quinn will officiate. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 N. First St., Rockford, IL 61107 and VNA Hospice, 4223 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.