Norma E. Johnson

Our dear mother, Norma Johnson, has passed away and we are absolutely heartbroken and shattered.

She leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of her four children, and many others.

Norma, 88, died recently at St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee after a brief illness.

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She was the wise and comforting voice on the other end of a long distance line.

She was born Feb. 13, 1938, in Edgerton. She was the daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Brandt (nee Lemke).

She grew up in Edgerton and was one of the high school's Class of 1956 graduates. After a brief stint in New York City, where she worked for a telephone company and saw Paul Newman on stage and Greta Garbo on the street, she returned to Wisconsin.

She married Rodney Johnson on June 9, 1962, in Edgerton. After stints in Wisconsin Rapids and Milwaukee, the couple moved to Grafton in 1967 before moving to Port Washington in 1997.

Norma worked for the Ozaukee County Public Health Department for more than 20 years. She helped set up and run flu shot, blood pressure and hearing clinics.

It is impossible to sum up her enormous influence. She raised four kids beautifully and with equal fairness. She was the wise and comforting voice on the other end of a long distance line.

She could be sarcastic one moment and nurturing the next, and often detected the you-know-what long before anyone else. She always put her kids before herself, and never wanted a fuss made about her.

Above all that, she was kind and sweet with a stately presence. She loved animals of all spots and stripes. She got a big kick out of seeing wildlife. She laughed heartily when pets and such got sassy with handlers on zoo and veterinarian shows.

She loved to travel. She loved her garden and often experimented with plantings.

She especially reveled in her kid's accomplishments in their various pursuits in life, and was always there to offer encouragement.

Norma is survived by her four children; Brett, Mark (Kathryn), Elizabeth (Rolf) Wessel and Chris (Martha), as well as three grandchildren.

Her husband Rodney passed away in 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Donald Brandt.

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Inurnment will be in Waubeka Union Cemetery, beside her late husband.

Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington is assisting with arrangements.