Nancy Johnson

Thursday, April 16, 2020 8:51 pm

Nancy Johnson, 69, of Decorah, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at her home in Decorah. There was a private family graveside service held for Nancy Wednesday, April 8. A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held later this summer.

Nancy Marie (Nelson) Johnson was born January 7, 1951, the daughter of Clarence V. and Elizabeth A. (Hillesland) Nelson in Decorah.She grew up in Mason City, and graduated from Luther College in 1973 with a BA in elementary education. While at Luther, she met the love of her life, Dale, and they were married July 26, 1975, in Mason City. Nancy shared her love of learning as a teacher at Nisse Nursery School and as a teacher associate in the Decorah School System. She was an active member of Madison Lutheran Church in rural Ridgeway. Nancy loved antiques and enjoyed doing home improvement projects with Dale, including the largest project of all — physically building their own house together with their friend, Randy Hangartner. She also loved reading, cooking with her grandchildren and spending time with family and friends. Nordic Fest was a special gathering time for her family every year.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Dale; two daughters, Keri (Brett) Ostby, Rochester, Minn. and Heather (Chad) Batterson, Des Moines; grandchildren: Jake, Lily, Mason, Ethan and Annika; mother, Elizabeth Nelson, Decorah; mother-in-law, Irene Johnson, Decorah; sister, Mary (Michael) Wall, Mesa, Ariz.; brother, Jim (Mindy) Nelson, Cottage Grove, Minn.; brothers-in-law, Keith (Linda) Johnson, Ridgeway and Bob Hogseth, Chippewa Falls, Wis.; uncle, Vern (Jean) Hillesland, Mt. Horeb, Wis. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Nelson; sister, Donna Hogseth; father-in-law, Kenneth “Kenny” Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Luther College, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and Iowa Public Television.