Evelyn Aldith Johnson

MONONA Evelyn A. Olson Johnson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, at home, surrounded by family. Ev was a fabulous mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The last and youngest of her generation, she grew up with five Olson brothers and two sisters and devoted years as a caregiver to her parents, sister, and sister-in-law. She was a lifelong resident of Madison and lived in only two houses during her nearly 90 years. She was baptized at Central Lutheran Church and was a lifelong member of its successor, Messiah Lutheran, singing in the choir for years and serving as summer Bible School superintendent. She also was an active volunteer for the Wisconsin State Journals Empty Stocking Fund and United Givers. Our much-loved Ev was a gracious hostess, a gifted baker of Swedish holiday treats, and a spirited dancer with her life partner, Gordon Johnson, who dances with her now in Heaven. She is survived by a daughter, Sandra (Paul) Montognese of Illinois; a son, Tom (Leigh) Johnson of Arizona; grandsons, Brad (Lesley) Johnson of Madison, Dustin Montognese of Illinois, Zachary Montognese of Iowa and John Montognese, of Madison; granddaughters Nicole (Dustin) Sheehy of Madison and Debbie Nice of Illinois; great-granddaughters Holly Marie Johnson and Cassandra Sheehy of Madison and Brittany Nice of Illinois; a special niece, Elaine DeSmidt (Ron McCrea) of Madison; and a special great-nephew, D. Benjamin DeSmidt, of Kenosha. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Johnson; sisters, Madge Olson and Ethel Walker; brothers, Gunnard, Clifford, Lawrence, Oscar and John Olson; and her parents, Gustav and Eva Paulina Olson. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI. 53711.Memorial gifts may be made to HospiceCare Foundation Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Cemetery: Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Park. Service: A Celebration of Life will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011.