Loretta Agnes Johnson

Loretta Agnes (Westendorf) Johnson, age 87, of Menasha, Died on Saturday, July 30, 2011 after a brief illness. She was born on February 19, 1924, daughter of the late Joseph and May (Duevel) Westendorf, on the farm in Melrose, MN. She married Clifford L. Johnson, on July 3, 1951 in Melrose, MN and had been married for 56 years. He preceded her in death on December 7, 2007. Loretta graduated from Melrose HS in 1942. She then graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Breckenridge, MN and there joined the Cadet Nurse Corp. in 1944. Upon graduation, she was employed at the Glenwood Hospital and Northeastern Hospital in Minnesota. After moving to the Fox Valley, she was employed by Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah. After the birth of her children, she returned to work at Theda Clark working 20 years in the nursery. In retirement, she volunteered at Theda Clark. Loretta was a very active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Menasha, serving as Parish Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, and Funeral Mass Server. She was also a member of the Rosary Society and worship committee there. She further volunteered at Oakridge Gardens and was a member of Senior Friends at the Neenah YMCA.

Loretta is survived by her five children: Jeff (Jean) Johnson, Barb Johnson, Annette (Roger) Hyler, all of Menasha, Lynelle (Gary) Weber, Appleton, and Jim (Laura) Johnson, Greenleaf; ten grandchildren: Kaila, Joel, and Jeana Johnson, Katie (Matt) Woodrow and Andrea Johnson, Stacie (Dustin) McClone and Erin Hyler, Allison Weber, and Jackie and Hailey Johnson; five great-granchildren: Aubrey and Brinley Woodrow, Rylee and Finnley McClone, and Carly Johnson. She is further survived by her brothers: Joseph and Herman (Norma) Westendorf; a sister, Rose (Al) Wiechman; brother-in-law, Herman Petermeier, sisters-in-law: Irene Gilchrist, all of MN, and Betty Johnson, ND; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and her caring family at St. John.

She was also preceded in death by her sisters: Sister M. Julitta Westendorf, Marie Petermeier, Anne (Leo) Lahr; her brothers: Bernard (Ludwina) and August Westendorf; her in-law’s: John L. and Clara J. (Peterson) Johnson; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Maurice (Helen) Johnson, Chester (Millie) Johnson, Laural (Alice) Johnson, Arnold “Bud” Johnson, Floyd “Sonny” (Darlene) Johnson, Loren Gilchrist, Alice Maravec, Viola “Toots” (Ed) Johnson, and Bea Westendorf.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 516 De Pere Street, Menasha. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the hour of Mass at the church. Interment will take place at St. John Cemetery, Town of Menasha. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.