Emerdine Johnson

The long life of a beautiful, gracious and loving woman ended peacefully Saturday morning, March 7, 2015.

Emerdine Barbara (Blazei) Johnson was born in Green Bay to Alex and Sophie (Ziarnik) Blazei on December 4, 1922. She was a second generation Packer fan and season ticket holder who really attended the Ice Bowl and attended home games until she was 85. An only child, she grew up with many close cousins and childhood friendships that lasted a lifetime. Em was a member of the first ever Green Bay Brownie Troop. She also bragged her whole life that she played superb first triangle in her kindergarten band.

Em loved going to the movies. She recalled as a child she stayed in a local theater watching "Top Hat" over and over until her mother came and dragged her out.

She graduated from Green Bay East High School with the class of 1940. Although her formal education ended there, she possessed tremendous common sense, laced with a biting, wacky sense of humor. She was the queen of the one-liners and her "momilies" are legendary.

After high school, Em was a clerical worker for Standard Oil in Green Bay. During World War II she did her patriotic duty by attending as many USO dances as she could and was also a volunteer nurses' aide.

Em married Robert F. Johnson on August 24, 1946 at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Green Bay. Bob and Em had a loving, fun-filled marriage that lasted over 64 years until Bob's death in 2011. Their marriage was blessed with three children, John, Mary, and Jody.

Em was very active throughout her long life, both mentally and physically. She was a life-long card player and loved to play bridge, canasta, sheepshead, gin,
cribbage and many more cardgames. You name it and she could play it, and she usually would win. When Em wasn't playing cards, she was probably bowling. She was a league bowler from her twenties until her sixties. Curly Lambeau sponsored her team in the 1940's. She had a good short game at golf, which she played into her seventies. She was a member of the Woodside Ladies Golf League for many years. In 1989 Em won the St. Joseph's Academy Fun Fest 5 K Run-Walk in her age division; she cherished her trophy. Em was an excellent knitter most of her life and her family cherishes the many afghans, sweaters, hats, and mittens she made.

In her later years, Em continued her love of swimming, riding her bike and taking long walks. She was a life-long learner and was very proud of her Polish heritage. She took classes to learn the Polish language. She also took tap dancing classes in her sixties and a computer class in her eighties.

Em was active in many social, patriotic and spiritual organizations, including the American Legion Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, the United Patriotic Society, and the Catholic Women's Club. She was also active in Bob's 32nd Division Red Arrow Alumni Club.

Em loved to travel. She visited many of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Her love of traveling extended to Canada, Mexico, Europe, including Great Britain, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to her husband Bob, Em is resting in God's heavenly arms with her parents, Al and Sophie, in-laws Sam and Julia Johnson and daughter-in-law Linda. She is survived by her son John (Jane) Johnson of Green Bay, daughter Mary (Richard) Fawcett of Elroy, and daughter Jody Johnson of Green Bay. She is further survived by grandchildren Jessica (Mark) Marchi, Brett Johnson (fiancee Nikki Huth), and Jamie (Amanda) Johnson and great-grandchildren Jacob, Jonah, and Isabella Marchi and Beckett and Easton Johnson, all of Green Bay, relatives, friends, and many granddogs.

Em began her life as a member of St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, Green Bay and she returned to her mother parish. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church. Day and time will be in Tuesday's Green Bay Press-Gazette and on their website. Her ashes will be interred in the spring in the Wall of Honor, alongside Bob's, in the Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the National Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org).

Em's family gives sincere gratitude to Dr. John Rank and especially the wonderful caregivers and staff of Santa Maria Nursing Home for all their care, concern and much love they gave to her the final year of her life. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

"Je Reviens"