Nordis Austinson Johnson

Nordis Austinson Johnson, age 86, beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her four children, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Nordis was born on December 5, 1935, in Chicago, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents Frieda Theresa (Siljan) and Myron Conrad Austinson; sister Marget Stiegler (Austinson); and husband, Waldo Stevens Johnson, Jr.

Throughout her life, Nordis balanced her many roles with selfless dedication and grace. She was a devoted wife of an ELCA Lutheran pastor, Waldo, who served multiple congregations, in Eau Claire, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Evanston, IL; Superior, WI; and Wausau, WI. Nordis was a steadfast partner in this ministry. Alongside her service within these churches, Nordis developed professional careers as a teacher and a real estate agent. She received her B.A. from St. Olaf College in 1958; an M.A. in Education from St. Thomas University in 1975; and the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation in MN and IL. Nordis taught English and Social Studies at Jefferson High School, Bloomington, MN; as a college English professor at the University of Wisconsin in Superior, WI; and was a real estate agent in MN, and both a realtor and real estate broker in IL. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic educational organization. Amidst all of this, Nordis raised four children, maintained beautiful homes, and hosted countless church and family gatherings.

Nordis is survived by her brother, John (Sue) Austinson; daughter, Sara Johnson Sullivan; three sons, Waldo Stevens Johnson III; Michael Johnson; and Mark Johnson; two grandchildren, Emily (Jacob) Larsen; Julia Johnson; three nieces, Kirsten (Rich Lay) Lysne; Marit (James Rosati) Lysne; Karen (Marshall) Lewis; and nephew Erik Lysne.

A funeral service is being held Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 11:00 A.M., with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M., at Long Lake Lutheran Church in Sarona, WI. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is handling the local arrangements and will be livestreaming the service at www.facebook.com/jontillung.  The video will continue to be available for viewing after the service on their webpage.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Long Lake Lutheran Church.

If you are watching the service online, you may click on the following link to view the funeral service program.

https://bit.ly/3FI75yL