Gloria Mae (Nelson) Johnson

*** UPDATE *** The Celebration of Life for Gloria has been rescheduled and will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the Lakeside Town Hall, 3196 South Poplar River Rd., Poplar, WI. ***

Surrounded by love and family, Gloria Mae Johnson 91, passed away February 22, 2022, in Superior. She was born May 28th,1930, to Signe (Wickstrom) and James K. Nelson.

She graduated from Superior’s East High School in1948 and went on to work for Stacks Department Store, where she also modeled and assisted on a buying trip to New York City. At an early age Gloria had a real flair for writing letters. They were more than just pen to paper, they were beautifully handwritten in calligraphy like penmanship and expressed with just the right words.That talent led her to a career writing commercials for local radio and television. While working at WDSM she was instrumental in the first Christmas City of the North Parade and many thereafter. She later served as the Director of Public Relations at the College of St.Scholastica, and then returned to WDSM/KBJR and retired as Continuity Director.

Gloria had many talents and interests. Being gifted with a beautiful voice she sang solos at weddings and special occasions. She was known for singing a Swedish lullaby while rocking the newest baby in the family to sleep. She was also a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church and sang in the choir for many years. She was an excellent seamstress and made exquisitely detailed apparel, including wedding attire, quilts and doll clothes. She enjoyed thrifting for antiques and had a wonderful collection of cookbooks and dolls. She read her cookbooks like others read romance novels which perhaps explained why she was such a great cook. Today those cookbooks are some of her family's most cherished possessions. She joined a Doll Club, a group of women that shared her love of dolls, and where she made many good friends. She had a “doll room” in her house. A spare bedroom with wall-to-wall shelves of dolls that are now being loved by many of her granddaughters.

Gloria was the family historian, researching her ancestors, collecting documents and photos all before the popularity of computers. For years she exchanged letters with her Swedish cousins Marta Greta and Thord Trosell and fulfilled her dream of visiting them with a trip to Sweden.

At 87 she embraced the unexpected news about her biological paternal family through DNA testing. She was overwhelmed with joyous tears the day she met two brothers, Clyde and Ted VanBuskirk who welcomed her with open arms.

Gloria loved to travel but the place nearest and dearest to her heart was the family property along the Poplar River. Affectionately known as “The Farm.” A rustic cabin built by her grandfather, it was the family getaway where kids could run wild and explore, cross rocks, and swim in the river.

Gloria’s sense of humor and sharp wit brightened the lives of all that knew her. She had a way with words that could make you gasp and giggle at the same time. She was a remarkable woman, a selfless mother and favorite friend to all. To say she will be missed is an understatement, her spirit and memory will forever remain in our hearts. Because to know her, was to love her.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her former husband, Francis Johnson, daughter in law, Kathleen Johnson, brothers, George Nelson, Ted VanBuskirk, brother-in-law, Dale Grothe, sister in law, Barbara VanBuskirk, and very special friend, Warner Wellman, with whom she found love late in life. She confided that “young love may be wonderful, but old love is magical!”

Gloria is survived by her six children. Twins, Francis Scott Johnson and Christine (JR) Robbins, Julianna (Dan) Larson, Randal Johnson, Brenda (Mitchell) Johnson  and Suzanne Johnson.

Twenty one grandchildren;  Courtney (Trevor) Clark,  Julianne Delmissier, Sam (Miranda Keuntjes) Paulus, Stefanie (Jake) Mohr, Tiffany (Jimmy) Jensen,  Lindsey Karvonen, Kathryn (Travis) Landrum, Karen (Nathan) Larson, Dana (Josh) Glonek, Ashley (Jerry Paine) Amundson, Ben (Gloria) Robbins, Phillip (Morgan Johnson) Sorensen, Alex (Britney)  Slind, Audrey (Adam) McCann,  Brian (Katie) Sorensen, Ben Johnson, Carly (Ty) Botten, Karinna (John) Duffey, Brecken Kenner, Taylor (Paul) Edwards, and Ruth Johnson.

Thirty two great grandchildren; Gloria, Jacqueline and Faye Glonek, Lola and Tripp Delmissier, Sawyer and Nora Slind, Will, Elle, and Julia Clark, Canyon, Maddie, Kate and Gunner Mohr, Rowan Sorensen, Jence, Annabelle and Henrik Sorensen, Claire Duffey,  Rorie and Sophie Woodfill, Evan and Kinsley Larson, Lucy and Bo Landrum, Kaitlin Paulus, Devyn and Whitley Botten, Levi and Violet Jensen. Nathan and Anthony Keuntjes, and there are two more on the way.

Gloria is also survived by sisters, Karin (William) King and Cynthia Grothe, who lovingly cared for her. Brother Clyde VanBuskirk, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family would like to acknowledge Gloria’s newest friends and caregivers; Tammy, Mike and Peggy, just to name a few, who treated their mother with the utmost respect, compassion and shared some lighthearted laughter with her.

Should you desire, the family asks those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation in Gloria’s name to CASDA (Center against sexual & domestic abuse)

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E 5th Street, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.