Norma G. Johnson,86, of Eau Claire, WI, died Saturday, June 20, 2009 in Amana, IA, doing what she loved best, telling a story, surrounded by family, under an awning and seated in a lawn chair. \r\nShe was born in Ellsworth, MN on November 7, 1922, the daughter of Benjamin and Fern (Everett) Nelson. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1940. She attended business school in Sioux Falls, SD and Minneapolis, but gave it all up for love. \r\nNorma met and married Willis "Bill" Q. Johnson in Sioux Falls, SD on February 7, 1945, on his three week leave from the Navy. They raised their family in Iowa, Minnesota and finally, in Fall Creek, then Elk Mound, Wisconsin. They were married 41 years before Bill's passing in 1984. \r\nNorma was a world traveler, both with her husband and even after his death, enjoying visits to Europe, China and South Africa. She loved sharing stories of her survival of Earthquakes in Greece, a hotel fire in Venezuela, and a shipwreck on the Chippewa River. She was an avid reader, loved the World Series and the Olympic Games, and started painting watercolors when she turned 80. Keeping her mind active was essential, and she entertained at her home just a few days before she died. (The Lunch Bunch!) She had the strength and the faith that helped her to be a survivor through many trials and losses, and she will be truly missed. \r\n Norma is survived by her two daughters, Susan (Richard) L'esperance of Tampa, FL and Sally (David) Johnson of River Falls, WI; a son, Greg (Susan) Johnson of Eau Claire; daughter-in-law, Diane Johnson-Rose (Ron) of Elk Mound; son-in-law, Michael Rault of South Africa; thirteen beloved grandchildren, six great-grand children and numerous nieces and nephews, some of whom, made a valiant effort to save her as she took her last breaths. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Fern Nelson, her Brother, Boyd Nelson, husband, Bill, two sons, David Michael and Thomas C. Johnson; and a daughter, Nancy Rault.\r\nMemorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Lake Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Graham N. West officiating. Visitation will be 90 minutes prior to the time of services at the church.\r\n \r\n

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