Jeannette Anne Johnson

Jeannette Anne Johnson of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015 after a long illness. Memorial services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Kansas University Endowment Association for the benefit of the Spencer Museum of Art, or to Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence.

Jeannette was born in Aurora, Illinois, September 5, 1944, the daughter of John A. and Wilma J. Keller. She attended Kaneland High School in Maple Park, Illinois. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in Germanic Languages and Literatures from the University of Kansas. While at KU, she met her husband and best friend, Dan Vernon Johnson, whom she married in Lawrence on October 1, 1971. As a newly married couple, they spent several happy years in both Lawrence, Kansas and in Seattle, Washington, before returning to Lawrence to start a family and rear two boys, Thomas and Eric. Dan, Eric, Thomas and his wife Corey Heiberger, all of Lawrence, survive her, as well as her brother William J. Keller and his wife Cheryl, of Elburn, Illinois, and their children Kevin Keller and Kimberly Slavik, and their families.

She spent her entire professional career at the University of Kansas, including staff and administrative roles in the Department of English, the School of Education, the Executive Vice Chancellor’s office, and the Office of the Provost. She retired as the Director of the Policy Office at the University of Kansas in December of 2012. Jeannette loved KU and made countless friends throughout her career and on into retirement, where she remained active at the university through her role as a docent at the Spencer Museum of Art and through her membership in the University Women’s Club.

Jeannette’s passions and interests were gardening, cooking, reading, art, and travel. She loved music, especially blues music, and continually fostered and encouraged her children’s musical development and appreciation. Throughout her entire life, Jeannette enjoyed a full and happy home, filled with family, cats, conversation, and laughter. She leaves behind a legacy of beautiful memories for her loving family, friends, and all that knew her well.