Betty Ann Johnson, age 86, of Lincoln, NE, died Thursday, February 5, 2009 in Lincoln, after a brief illness. She was born April 5, 1922, in Albion, NE to Selmer A. and Hilda (Nelson) Tisthammer. She graduated from Albion High School and was a Regent Scholar. She then graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1943 with a major in Home Economics and Education. She had many honors in college including Mortar Board, Phi Upsilon Omicron and Omicron Nu. Betty Ann married to Virgil A. Johnson on July 29, 1943 at Williams Field, Chandler, AZ. She taught many places over the years including Irving Junior High in Lincoln. She had been involved in many community activities, including Ceres Club, Faculty Wives, League of Women Voters and Reach for Recovery. For many years she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and P.E.O. Chapter CS, and the Nebraska Alumni Association.
She is survived by her three children, Karen and her husband Chuck Harris of York, Reed and his wife Kathleen Johnson of Faribault, MN and Scott and his wife Linda Johnson of Ames, IA. Grandchildren, Leslie (Geoff) Smart of Evergreen, CO, John (Amy) Eakes of Golden, CO, Ann (Brian) McGeehan of Bozeman, MT, Josie Johnson and Sam Johnson of Faribault, MN, Andrew “A.J.” Johnson of Ft. Collins, CO, Amanda and Hayley Johnson of Ames, IA. Great Grandchildren, Will, Kendall, Andrew and Emma Smart, Sophia and Jake Eakes, and Ella and Finneas McGeehan. She is also survived by her brother James (Dorothy) Tisthammer of Albion and many nieces, nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Virgil, daughter Leslie Jean and nephew Eric Tisthammer.
Funeral Services will be held at Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street on Monday, February 9th at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. David Lux officiating.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Sunday with family greeting friends from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., funeral home. Following services, she will be cremated and inurned with her husband and daughter Leslie in Lincoln Memorial Park.
Memorials may be directed to the University of Nebraska Foundation.