Jeanne Nelson Johnson

Jeanne Nelson Johnson passed away peacefully in her sleep after a brief illness on January 20, 2016. Jeanne was born on July 2, 1923 in San Bernardino, California to Knud George (K.G.) Nelson and Margaret Estelle Corbett Nelson. Mother Estelle died six months later and Jeanne never ceased to be grateful to her dear “Mama,” Lena Nelson, who later married K.G. and raised Jeanne as her own child. Jeanne attended and later graduated from San Diego State College with a degree in education. There in San Diego, she met the love of her life, Lee Allen Johnson, a handsome sailor in the U.S. Navy. They were married October 27, 1944 in San Francisco and treasured married life together in the Phoenix area for over 63 years.

Jeanne was a woman of strong faith who truly loved life. She was a devoted mother who was proud of all of her children’s accomplishments and who perhaps secretly delighted in their antics as well. A member of the Thunderbird Country Club, Jeanne was a championship golfer. She also enjoyed playing bridge, socializing, traveling (including favorite trips to China and Ireland), spending summers in Prescott, and nurturing a menagerie of birds, turtles, cats, and dogs lucky enough to have been in her care.

Preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband and her daughter Jennifer, Jeanne is survived by her four living children: Claudia Jeanne (and David) Hatcher, Carl Knud (and Kathy) Johnson, Christopher Lee (and Roxanne) Johnson, and Cindy Marie Johnson. Jeanne was also the beloved grandmother of Benjamin Lee Johnson, Kara Jeanne (and Pierre) Marcos, Holly (and Thomas) Carlson-Zhao, Kelley Jeanne (and Brian) Christian, Kurtis Lee Johnson, Eldon (and Lyra) Hoover, Patrick Knud (and Taylor) Johnson, Sarah Hoover, and eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Ashley Rose, Elliot Jeanne, Amber, Harper, Charles Knud, Sven, and Claire. She is also survived by her faithful canine companion, Mr. Sidney.

Jeanne will always be remembered as beautiful, compassionate, fun-loving, and strong-willed. Viewing will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016, from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, AZ, followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1124 North 3rd Street, Phoenix. Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of the Valley (www.hov.org) or Arizona Animal Welfare League (30 North 40th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85034).