(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Janice M. (Kirby) Johnson
Oct. 2, 1950 – April 10, 2023
An empathetic caregiver with a wicked wit, Janice entertained kids with her childlike enthusiasm for songs, make-believe and projects. Adults, she entertained with stories and impressions, many not suitable for print.
Janice shared with her late husband, Robert E. Johnson, a nurturing spirit that stretched beyond their own children and grandchildren. They opened their home to special needs foster children who they later adopted, to nieces and nephews, to friends of their kids, and to a long line of cats and pampered dogs. Over the years their house was the spot for band practices, play rehearsals, Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and extended family Christmas Eve bashes.
A nurse, Janice was respected as an attentive professional. She was valued not just by grateful patients but also by her coworkers, whom she kept laughing at the nurse’s station.
The middle child of five, Janice was close to her Norwegian grandmother, Ulrikka Jensen. She remained best friends with her siblings and sisters-in-law all her life. Family parties and couples trips to Las Vegas or the Dells, as well as annual girls shopping trips, were legendary. Janice and her two sisters were inseparable, meeting for Wednesday lunches even toward the end of her life.
In 1968, Janice graduated from Tremper High School, where she met her lifelong love, Bob. In 1970, she graduated from Kenosha Technical School as a licensed practical nurse, and also became Mrs. Johnson. She loved nursing, and in a decades-long career, worked at Shady Lawn, St. Catherine’s Hospital (Rehab), Brookside, Dayton and St. Catherine’s Kidney Center.
At home, Janice always had a craft or sewing project going, whether it was painting a birdhouse or making a quilt for a loved one.
With Bob, Janice loved fishing for walleye in Canada and bluegill on Little Green Lake, where the couple had a get-away. With her grandchildren, who called her Boom-Boom, she loved to go on walks and collect rocks to paint.
Janice and Bob were so close that friends and family pronounced “Jan-n-Bob” as one name. Janice both cherished and depended upon her husband, especially after she began to suffer from dementia. In recent years, Janice felt secure only when Bob was in her sight. His devoted care allowed her to live at home as her disease progressed, and they were able to be at home together during Bob’ final battle with cancer in early 2022. Janice spent just over a year without the love of her life, a separation that has now come to an end.
Janice is survived by her children, Hollie (Manuel) Johnson, Adam (Carie) Johnson, PJ Johnson and Zachary Johnson; her grandchildren, Rob, Bird and Fritz Kreger, and Greta, Aeron and Ole Johnson; her step-father Lee Dederich and her siblings, Carole (Ronald) Fechner, James (Linda) Kirby, Lila (Fred Chubrillo) Kirby and William (Teri) Kirby; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Johnson, her granddaughter, Kathleen Janice “Katie” Kreger, and by her parents, Nancy (Jensen) Dederich and James W. Kirby.
Please join the family for a celebration of life at 11:30 am, Tuesday, April 25, at Green Ridge Cemetery, followed by a 1 pm luncheon at The Boat House.
Casey Family Options Funerals and Cremations
Stephen P. Casey, Owner/Funeral Director
(262) 653-0667
www.CaseyFamilyOptions.com
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM
(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Judy Bonofiglio says:
I worked with Janice at St. Catherines Rehab it was a fun place to work and Janice was always fun and she talked about her husband and family lovingly. May she RIP.
Cathy Dahl Kunkel says:
Janice and I are cousins. She, her sister Lila and I were best friends in our early teens, occasionally getting into mischief. She was so fun and so very kind. Glad I was able to visit with both Janice & Bob last time I visited. She will be dearly missed. Our best to all of her family. Love, Cathy
Patti Pearson says:
I’m so sorry to hear of Janice’s passing. She took care of my Dad at the Dialysis Center. She was so funny, yet compassionate and kind. RIP Janice. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Pete Loewen says:
I was fortunate to have been on those Canadien walleye fishin excursions with “bouy”Bob & Janice, what a blast!!!!! What I will remember most above the fishin, laughs & yummy shore lunchs will be the compassionate care they gave my elderly father so he could enjoy the trip. Others above self that was Bob & Janice. My thoughts & prayers are with your family. Oh & Bob on Heavens great walleye waters make sure to keep Janice in the boat!!!!!!
Deborah Blum says:
I met Janice through my husband, Peter Haugen, who was one of her cousins. He and I both remember her warmth and humor, kindness and love of life. Sending sympathy and hugs from Boston.