Norma Johnson Obituary

Norma Lillian (Landgren) Johnson
Born: March 26, 1921
Died: October 9, 2021
Lemont has lost one of its most community-minded citizens. Norma Johnson, who led a full & active life of service to others, was finally called home to our Lord to take her rest at the age of 100 on October 9, 2021.
Norma Lillian (Landgren) Johnson, daughter of the late Arthur G. Landgren and Clara Lindgren Landgren, was born on March 26, 1921 in Lemont, Illinois. She attended Lemont Public School and graduated from Lemont High School in 1938. She went to business school by taking the bus daily to Chicago and then worked as a secretary in Chicago before she married and began her family. She spent 44 years with the love of her life, Orville Johnson, until his passing in 1985. They raised their family in Lemont, IL and her pride and joy were her 4 children.
Norma was a unique and caring individual who touched the lives of all who knew her. She lived her entire life in Lemont, IL and dedicated much of that life to helping others. Her philosophy of life was very simple: "Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it couldchange the whole world for one person."
Family meant a great deal to Norma. While managing the needs of her family, and also working part-time, she fulfilled her life through her numerous volunteer experiences in her community. At one time Norma was the secretary at Lemont Grade School, but she also has volunteered in the capacity of president of the Lemont PTA, Lemont Historical Society, and Lemont Band Boosters. She was a Girl Scout Leader, a Den Mother, and drove for 10+ years for Meals on Wheels. She also served her community as a member of Lemont's Planning Commission for several years.
One of Norma's greatest joys was helping children to read. She volunteered at Oakwood School for more than 10 years, listening to the young 1st and 2nd grade readers. Norma became a "super volunteer" after she retired. She taught Sunday School at Bethany Lutheran Church for
many years and was a reader of the Word. She was always there for her church, doing whatever needed to be done - visiting shut-ins, sewing quilts and offering a sympathetic ear to "friends in need." When Norma was chosen as Grand Marshall of the Keepataw Day Parade in 1992, she insisted all her grandchildren ride in the car with her. She was also awarded "Citizen of the Year" in 1995 by the Lemont Chamber of Commerce. In 2017 Norma was inducted into Lemont High School's Alumni Hall of Fame and was honored at the LHS Jazz Band Dinner Dance with several other inductees.
Norma Johnson lived an extraordinary life and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched. When asked about her volunteer work, Norma replied, "God never said we had to go across the world and be a missionary. We can be of service to others right in this town."
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur G. and Clara (Lindgren) Landgren, her husband, Orville Johnson, her brothers, Edward Lindgren and Arthur W. Landgren, and also her son-in-law, Thomas Metzger.
Norma is survived by her four children, Patricia Johnson,Lawrence Johnson, Audrey Johnson Metzger, and Mary Beth (Johnson) Guilbo, her four
grandchildren, Ben (Christina) Metzger, Heidi (Eric) Kolodziejczyk, Eric (Ashley) Metzger, and Miranda (Dan) Geoghegan, and 3 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, November 6th at 10:30 am at Bethany Lutheran Church, 500 Lemont Street in Lemont, Illinois. The service can also be viewed on Zoom. For further information, please go to gerharzfuneralhome.com or call Gerharz Funeral Home at 630-257-2123. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund in memory of Norma Johnson. https://secure.myvanco.com/YQF1/campaign/C-Z93V