Ethel M. Johnson, 96, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully, Saturday morning, October 19, 2019 at Alpine Fireside. She was born August 2, 1923 in Forreston, MN, the daughter of Ed and Sylvia (Judd) Kasper. Ethel graduated from Milica High School, coming to Rockford on December 7, 1941. She married the love of her life, William R. Johnson on March 15, 1944 in Rockford. Ethel worked at JCPenney’s at Colonial Village for many years, starting in the men’s department and retiring from inventory control. She was proud to be a founding member of Klehm Arboretum and was a certified master gardener. Ethel was the 2nd female member of the Men’s Garden Club, and a member of the Blackhawk Orchid Society. In 2014, she won the CRG Mother Earth Award. On October 12, 2019, Klehm Arboretum broke ground on Ethel Johnson’s Lilac Garden.
Ethel is loved and missed by her children, Bruce (Michele) Johnson, Cathy (Tony) Pfaff, Sue Ellen Stebritz, and Edie (Al) Nyen; 8 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, George Kaspar, and Bonna Scherer. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William, 3 siblings, and 2 grandchildren.
A memorial open house will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, October 27, 2019 at Greencastle of Mulford, 2750 North Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61114. A private family service was held. In lieu of flowers, designated donation to the Ethel Johnson Lilac Garden at Klehm Arboretum Entombment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
