Shirley Ann (Tapani) Johnson

Shirley Ann (Tapani) Johnson, 79, Oulu, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully, with her children by her side on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in St. Luke’s Hospice, losing the battle of seven months, but winning the fight. She was born on March 13, 1938 in Chicago, IL to Emil and Ailie (Aho) Tapani.

Shirley married Oliver “Clayton” Johnson on September 1, 1956 in Maple, WI and they celebrated forty years of marriage before his passing in 1996. She was a member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Maple. Shirley was a homemaker, seamstress and caregiver. Most important in her life were her children. She would make all her children’s clothes by hand. She was an excellent cook and baker. She enjoyed acrylic and oil painting and sewing. She loved the people she cared for, while working in home health care.

Shirley is survived by three sons, Tom (Heidi) Johnson, Marquette, MI, Kris (Jackie) Johnson, Cornucopia, WI and James (Marietta) Johnson, Iron River, WI; one daughter, Penny Joy (Shawn) Lavin, Iron River, WI; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Michael, Darrin Clayton, Jediah Thomas, Samuel David, Levi Matthew, Race Scott and Elise Rose; one great-grandson, Raiden Oliver; one brother, Tom (Betty) Tapani, Chisago City, MN and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers and sisters in faith.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Oliver “Clayton”, son Jeffrey Michael and her brother Jerry Tapani.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, September 15, 2017 at the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior. Visitation will resume at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, Maple on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 11:00 AM and continue until the 1:00 PM funeral service with Mr. Chaz Prusi officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Oulu, WI. Pallbearers for the service will be Shirley’s grandsons, Jeffrey Michael Johnson, Darrin Clayton Stewart, Jediah Thomas Johnson, Samuel David Johnson, Levi Matthew Johnson and Race Scott Stewart.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.