Anna Louise Wellensiek Johnson, passed away on December 14, 2015, in Lincoln, NE. Born November 13, 1922, to Otto and Charlotte (Pohlmann) Wellensiek at their farm home south of Syracuse, Nebraska. She was the oldest of three daughters and the granddaughter of German immigrants.
She was baptized and later confirmed at the Osage Evangelical Church near Cook, Nebraska. She attended rural school and then graduated from Syracuse High School in 1940. She enrolled in the Teachers College at the University of Nebraska and graduated in May of 1945 with majors in speech pathology and English. That fall she went to Sterling, Illinois, to set up the speech correction program for the elementary schools of that town.
On June 28, 1947, Anne was married to Richard B. Johnson of Hastings, Nebraska. To this union were born five children: Carol, David, Douglas, and twins Steven and Paul.
Anne received her MA degree from UNL in 1972. She had begun teaching technical writing at the College of Agriculture while working on her master’s degree. She continued in this position until her retirement in 1986. In 1972 Anne developed and led a 1-credit course for juniors and seniors known as the Employment Seminar, something she continued until 1984. She also started a seminar titled Women in Ag Careers. In 1984, Anne was named a Fellow by the North American Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, the first woman to receive such an award.
In retirement Anne and Dick enjoyed participating in Elderhostels in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe. She was an active member at Trinity United Methodist Church, working in several capacities. After Dick’s death in 1995, Anne began volunteering for AARP, eventually serving as state coordinator for the Widowed Persons Service Bureau.
She moved to Eastmont Towers in 1997, becoming an active participant in activities there. For two years, Anne served as President of the Eastmont Residents Council.
Anne is survived by her five children, her sister Naomi, ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick; sister, Irene; granddaughter, Emily; and son-in-law Richard.
Memorial service: 10 a.m., December 21, 2015 at Eastmont Towers, 6315 ‘O’ St, Lincoln, NE.
Memorials may be directed to the Trinity United Methodist Church, 7130 Kentwell Lane, Lincoln NE 68516, or the Eastmont Towers Foundation, 6315 ‘O’ St, Lincoln, NE, 68510.