Georgene "Jean" Johnson

Georgene ‘Jean’ (White) Johnson Jean Johnson, 76, of Florence, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2015 at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay. She was born on February 22, 1939 at Dickinson County Hospital and was the first-born child of the late George and Lillian (Derosier) White. Jean spent her childhood growing up in Florence with her parents, sister and three brothers. Her childhood years were spent doing housework, gardening, chopping wood, fishing and taking long walks with her best friend Olive. In high school she participated in the Glee, Pep and Nature Clubs, and played clarinet in the band marching in local parades and at Florence Bobcat football games. Jean married her first love David Bowser, Sr. on March 2, 1957. That same year she graduated from Florence High School, became a mother and moved to Iron River where she stayed home to take care of their son while her husband worked as a miner. By 1961, the family moved back to Florence, Wisconsin where two more sons were born. In 1967, the family of five moved to Neenah, WI. To learn more about the community, Jean volunteered as a `pink lady' at Theda Clark Hospital helping out during night shifts and weekends. In 1969, Jean began working as a Crossing Guard for the Neenah Police Department. During this time, she took classes to sharpen up her shorthand and typing skills. In 1972, Jean was hired as an Admitting Clerk for Theda Clark Hospital. She worked in this position for 9 years and then transferred to a Medical Records role at the hospital. In 1982, Jean divorced her husband and moved back to Florence. There she worked three jobs to support herself. She worked as a full-time secretary for the Aging Unit at the Senior Center and as a nurse’s aide at the Florence Nursing Home. She filled in the gaps of her weeks working as a waitress. It was while she was waitressing that she met her second love, Bob Johnson. In 1985, Jean and Bob exchanged vows at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingsford with their joint families in attendance. After marriage, they relocated to a beautiful log home in the outskirts of Suamico where Bob worked at the local logging mill, while Jean kept house and in her caring manner, periodically provided in-home hospice care to local woman and waitressed at the local truck stop where she learned to make yummy fruit pies. The Suamico home provided many fondly-remembered events with their children and grandchildren in attendance. In 1996, Bob and Jean retired and moved back to Florence to enjoy their senior years. During this time, Jean continued to assist others as she delivered meals on wheels and waitressed part time at the Black Bear bar and restaurant. She also enjoyed reading, gardening and cooking ‘big’ meals for visiting family members. In 2009, Jean authored and illustrated two non-fictional children storybooks; she dedicated the books to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In the fall of 2014, Bob passed away and her nights became lonelier. Jean spent her entire lifetime caring for others by sharing her love, support and internal strength with family and friends. Her children, grandchildren and extended family and friends admire, enjoy and love her as Mother, Grandma Jean and simply Jean. Jean is survived by three sons, David (Pat) Bowser of Neenah; Michael (Becky Smith) Bowser of Luxemburg; Scott (Jean Worzella) Bowser of Wisconsin Rapids; two step daughters, Kathy Jo Johnson of Appleton and Robin Johnson of Las Vegas; grandchildren: Wesley (Megan) Bowser, Derek (Danni) Bowser, Kyle (Amanda) Bowser, Ryan Bowser, Alik Love, Tayla Love; June (Rueben) Contrasas and Kristy Rochon; great grandsons, Wyatt, Marshall, Caden, Paxton and Austin Bowser, Emma, Matt, Nicholas and Alexis Contrasas; sister, Bonnie Witt of Colorado, brother Daryl ‘Butch’ (Diane) White of Niagara, sister in law, Janell White of Florence and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert Johnson, and her brother and sister in law Robert (Jackie) White and brother Jerold White. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 from 10:00-12:00pm at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. Memorial services will follow at 12:00pm at the funeral home. Rev. Thomas Mackey will officiate. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Florence. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Georgean Johnson online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Georgene "Jean" Johnson

February 22, 1939 - March 20, 2015