Garage sale enthusiast, neighborhood Grandma & Matriarch of the Johnson family, Betty Johnson's love of life didn't come to an end with her death. Betty passed away peacefully with birds singing and warm sunshine on her face in the early morning hours of May 12th, 2021 in her home of over 30 years, at the age of 88 after a string of health complications stemming from a recent fall, surrounded by those she held closest to her heart who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Brown eyed beauty, Betty Jane Parrell was born November 27th, 1932 in a small house on the Mazomanie marsh on highway Y just below the family farm, the middle child of the late Martin Louis and Marie Veronica (Hoven) Parrell.

After young love blossomed in the warm summer air during dates on the Mazo railroad bridge Betty was united in marriage to Edward James Johnson February 29th, 1949. During the early years of their marriage they welcomed two sons, Steven James on July 8th, 1949 and Bradly Bruce on June 30th, 1952. After struggling to add further to their family the couple became foster parents and welcomed many children in to their home over the next several years during which time they also became pregnant with their third child - a daughter, Staci Marie born October 27th, 1964.

Betty loved to travel and lived in many different parts of the country before finally settling back in Wisconsin near where she and Ed had grown up. The couple purchased and operated the Towne Pump in Verona in 1964. Betty enjoyed making oodles of food for the many sports teams that were sponsored by their tavern.

Betty was a lifelong homemaker, avid quilter & member of the Red Hat Society. Every Sunday during football season you'd be guaranteed to find her glued to the TV dressed head-to-toe in her lucky Packer attire. She was also an avid Brewers and Badger fan, rarely missing a game - a trait passed down to her from her Mother. She enjoyed playing Euchre, fishing, baking Birthday cakes and cheese bread for her Grandchildren and feeding everyone who entered her home snacks, whether they were hungry or not. She worked at Gannon's in her younger years and loved to reminisce about the big dances and friends who gathered there. Gram made friends wherever she went, spanning all across the U.S. She read and owned every book by Debbie Macomber and loved to delve in to family genealogy. Prior to her Sister's death in 2012 she and Joann made annual trips to the set of Sewing with Nancy with whom they knew on a first name basis.

During warmer months Gram could be found digging around in her flower garden almost daily. She enjoyed her numerous trips to Gloria's Garden every season to purchase lilies to add to her impressive collection of her favorite flower. She also spent much of the summer tending to her vegetable garden, often creating dishes or canning the produce she'd grown. She was known for many special dishes she'd mastered from recipes passed down through the generations such as Pfeffernusse, Klub, Fish chowder, Latkes and of course, Lefse - dressed Johnson style with butter and white sugar.

She looked forward to daily ice cream cone dates with her great-grandchildren. Gram's porch light and coffee pot were always on for her family and the many other visitors who she considered family.

Betty is survived by her three children; Steven (JoAnne) Johnson, Brad (Teri) Johnson and Staci Christensen; her eleven grandchildren, Chris (Angie) Johnson, Eric Johnson (Inga Habada), Jayme (Steph) Johnson, Jennie Walls, Liz (Shane) Anderson, Anne Johnson (Cody Peterson), Shane (Rebecca) Harring, Ryan Johnson, Tyler (Annette) Johnson, Cheri Johnson (David Sadek) and Carissa Bradfield; her 24 great-grandchildren, Cheyenne & Dylan Walls, Annabelle Johnson, Summer, Nicholas & Jacob Anderson, Amara, Elianna, Isaiah, Christopher & Talia Peterson, Madelyn, Ava, Levi, Stella, Whitney, Vivian, K.J. & Tater Sadek, Nicole Hopp, Akira & Liliana Zweck and Amelia & Violet Harring. She is further survived by sisters-in-law, Marge Sutcliffe & Patricia Meyer; a brother-in-law, Jim King; her chosen grandchildren, James & Nicole Bell & their sons, Merric, Oliver & Charlie, Joey Powell; neighbors, Leo & Mary Nachreiner; very special nephews, John (Sue) Steele, Dean (Cindy) Sutcliffe & Don "Moose" (Heather) Sutcliffe; and a very special great nephew, Michael (Mary) Anderson.

Last but certainly not least her loyal canine companions, who were her reason for cooking chicken daily & putting hundreds of miles on her Nike's while patrolling the 500 block of Franklin street; Muffin & Emme, who's ashes will be buried along with hers, so they can walk in Heaven together for eternity.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years; her parents; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Florence & James Johnson; brother, Richard "Bub" Sutcliffe; sister, Joann Moc; brothers-in-law, Rollie Duhr, Don Johnson, Vernon Johnson, Harry Meyer, Don Sutcliffe & Jim Moc; sisters-in-law, Ardis Duhr, Nannette Johnson & Ivanelle "Tuby" King; a very special aunt, Adaline Nichols; & life long friends, Stella Lofthouse, Shirley Chizek & Marge Gnewikow.

Betty was small in stature but larger than life. To know Grandma Betty was to love her. She will be missed endlessly by all who were lucky enough to have had her as a part of their story.

"When you hear this song, think of me." Love, Gram

"There's holes in the floor of heaven
And her tears are pouring down,
That's how you know she's watching,
Wishing she could be here now,
And sometimes if your lonely,
Just remember she can see,
There's holes in the floor of heaven,
And she's watching over you and me..."

Lyrics shared from the song "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" by Steve Wariner

A life, so beautiful, deserves a special celebration.

Your presence is requested to help us honor the life of Betty Johnson.  Leave your sadness at the door, but bring rather your stories, your laughs, and your happiness over a life that was lived to the fullest.

We will begin with a graveside service for the interment of ashes to take place on June 5th at 10am at the Mazomanie cemetery.  Immediately following the service a luncheon will be held at Lion's Park, 14 Walter Rd. Mazomanie.

Food and drinks will be provided.