Virginia M. Johnson

Virginia M. Johnson

July 25, 1924 - October 06, 2022

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Virginia's Livestream Service will begin at 3 p.m CT on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.

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MADISON - Virginia M. Johnson, age 98, passed away on Oct. 6, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on July 25, 1924, in Madison, Wis., the second of three daughters of Clarence and Minnie (Olson) Johnson. Virginia grew up on the family farm in Oregon, Wis., and attended the local school’s kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating with her 35 classmates in 1942.


Virginia attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, for her freshman year and then transferred to the School of Music at University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree in 1946. Her 40-year career as a music teacher began in Blanchardville, Wis., and continued to Delevan and Madison.


In 1955 Virginia accepted a teaching position with DoDDS - Department of Defense Dependent Schools. She spent two years at Narimasu High School in Tokyo, Japan, and 29 years at Frankfurt American High School in Germany. Early in her overseas career she earned a Master of Music degree at UW Madison by attending summer school, and a MA degree from Ball State University by attending evening and weekend classes in the Frankfurt area. She took advantage of the many travel opportunities available to overseas teachers and visited many areas of Asia and Europe. In recent years she has connected via Facebook with many of her former students. A group of these students visited her in Madison in October of 2014, and every year after around her birthday until Covid led to Zoom birthday parties in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Her students loved her and credited her with having had great influence in their lives, especially in their continued love and participation in music.


Virginia is survived by nephews, Michael (Mary) Crapp and Daniel Crapp; great-nephews, Eric Crapp and Darin Carter and family; great-niece, Nikki Elgin and family; cousins, James Olson and family and Cynthia Mandl and family. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Betty McCarthy (2004), and Carol Crapp (2013); nephew, Tim Crapp (2011); niece, Jane Cassady (2021); and most of her traveling companions.


A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, with Chaplain Wayne Shannon presiding.  Family and friends who wish to view services via LIVE STREAM may visit Virginia’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast Link at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.  A private family burial will be held at Prairie Mound Cemetery in Oregon.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.



Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002



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SR
Sandi Rodriguez
Other •
It was an honor to care for Virginia in the assisted living of Oakwood. She was spunky and I loved that about her. Sandi Rodriguez RN BSN
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Ann Messier
Other •
Virginia was a friend and fellow teacher at Frankfurt American High School. She was truly a gifted teacher and a positive and lasting influence on her students. Sending prayers that her family and friends experience comfort in her passing. May God bless them in their grief and may Virginia rest in peace forever. 'Ann Messier Jericho, Vermont
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Ronald Leo Bauer
Other •
My condolences to the family, friends, and all of her former staff and students; her love of music lives on in them. I became her student in January 1967, after my dad brought the family to Germany on the Christmas Day of 1966. From those beginnings entering FAHS in the middle of the school year, Miss Johnson allowed me to audition and become a Mellowteen. She taught me music appreciation, choral singing, and history of music. I thank the Lord, she was an influence in my life and music education. Regards, Ronald Bauer ‘68
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Catherine DuPont
Other •
From 1976 to 1983 I had the honor of working with Ginny at Frankfurt American High School. Her music classes were very popular with the students, particularly her "Melloteen" group. She made every student feel welcome and valued. It was an honor to teach with Ms. Johnson. We need many more such excellent teachers. Catherine DuPont
CS
Charlotte Stebbins
Other •
A student of Miss Johnson, 1963-1966, she taught me German and Music Appreciation. I can still make myself understood in Germany, sort of, and am so much richer for having learned to enjoy music. I still know all the pictures from Pictures at an Exhibition, by Mussorgsky. May your memory be a blessing, Miss Johnson. Many thanks. Charlotte Stebbins
BA
Betty Andrews
Other •
A very special teacher. FAHS 1976

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