Bette Johnson

MADISON/MOUNT HOREB-Bette M. Johnson, age 98, of Madison/Mount Horeb, passed away on Jan. 19, 2019. She was born Jan. 26, 1920, in Iron River, Mich. She and her parents, Elma and Henry (Hank) Gabrielson, moved to Oconto in 1930 where she graduated high school. She attended nursing school at Grant Hospital in Chicago, Ill. As a registered nurse, Bette contributed to bettering patient’s lives, particularly focusing on treatment and care of the elderly. She was president of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging groups in 1980’s. She was married to Bertil (Bert) W. Johnson in Oconto on April 29, 1942. She and Bert raised five children in Westmoreland on Madison’s west side; David, Katherine (Dede), Paul, Mary and Mark. She was preceded in death by her husband and sons, David and Paul. She loved and was loved by her five children, twelve grandchildren and ever-expanding group of great-grandchildren. Bette was a woman of passion. Whether volunteering, working, mothering or politicking, nothing she did was without an inexhaustible supply of empathy, hope, determination and courage. We all sorely miss this singular human being. We all have been fortunate to call her our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. The family would like to thank various agencies that helped our mom during these past few years: Middleton Glenn and All Saints communities, Agrace Hospice and Attic Angel Health Care Center. A Celebration of Bette’s Life will be held at Attic Angel Care Facility on April 5, 2019, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. If you knew Bette, volunteered with her or were touched by her outpouring of caring and compassion, please feel free to join the family at this tribute. GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE is serving the family during this time. Memorials in memory of Bette can be sent to Attic Angel Association or UW-Madison Allen Centennial Garden Foundation at https://allencentennialgarden.org/support_donate.php.