Anna M. Johnson

Anna M. Johnson, 91, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Brookdale Memory Care in La Crosse, WI.

Anna Mae Ungs was born on November 30, 1931, in Luxemburg, Iowa to the late Peter and Delphine (Zewen) Ungs. After graduating from High School, Anna attended St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, Wisconsin graduating on August 27, 1952.

It was in La Crosse she met her husband, Elmer W. Johnson. The two were married on June 6, 1953, in Luxemburg, Iowa and were married 36 years until Elmer’s death in March 1990. Together they had four children Susan, William, Kathryn, and James.

Anna raised her family while working, and spent her entire nursing career at St. Francis Hospital, which is now known as Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare – La Crosse. During her career, she worked as a Night Nursing Supervisor, an Emergency Department nurse, and lastly in the Family Residency Clinic until she retired in May 1998. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, walking, gardening, bird watching and after retirement, traveling.

Even after retirement, Anna volunteered regularly at Mayo until the Covid pandemic. She was actively involved with Mary Mother of the Church spending numerous hours volunteering her time and helping with various activities at the church. Anna was also an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary.

Anna is survived by her four children and their spouses, Sue (George) Lay, La Crosse, WI; Bill (Sarah) Johnson, Pittsford, NY; Kathy (Brad) Fults, Forest Lake, MN; and Jim (Dolly) Johnson, Golden Valley, MN; nine grandchildren, Travis (Kelly) Lay, Holmen, WI; Amanda (Jay) Bittner, Fountain City, WI; Alexander Johnson, Brooklyn, NY; Madeleine Johnson, Boston, MA; Andy (Alexandra) Fults, Minneapolis, MN; Eric Fults, Hopkins, MN; Jack Johnson, Brooklyn, NY; Bryan Johnson, Minneapolis, MN; and Kelly Johnson, Plymouth, MN; and 5 great grandchildren, Cameron Lay, Madelyn Lay, Elise Bittner, Olivia Bittner and Ava Fults.  Survivors also include her sister, Inez (Ben) Lammers, Dyersville, IA and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, and her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother John Ungs and sister Jane Terfler.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30am on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Mary Mother of the Church, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church. Anna’s family invites family and friends to celebrate her life for a luncheon at the church immediately following the Mass. Entombment will be in the Gardens of Peace Mausoleum, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in Anna’s name to Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare foundation at https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/mchs .

Anna's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the Brookdale staff, the Mayo Hospital staff and Hospice caregivers.