JOHNSON, Phyllis M., age 83

Died: Friday, April 8th, 2016

Private family services will be held.

Phyllis M. Johnson, 81, of Eau Claire, passed away Friday Afternoon, April 8, 2016 at Azura Memory Care in Eau Claire.

Phyllis (Behrents) Johnson, Daughter of Einar and Esther (Anderson) Behrents, was born on May 5, 1932 in Richmond, Illinois. She was baptized at East Wiota Lutheran church. Phyllis was, at heart, a "Farm Girl." She had fond memories of life growing up on a farm in Solon Mills, Illinois with her sisters Ruth and Joyce. She graduated from Richmond/​Burton H.S. in 1952. Upon graduation, Phyllis moved to Eau Claire and attended the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. She graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Phyllis pursued her passion for teaching children, teaching in Rochester-Minnesota, Richfield-Minnesota, Great Falls-Montana, Buffalo-New York, and Eau Claire-Wisconsin.

Phyllis met Robert (Bob) Johnson while attending college in Eau Claire. Teaching called her to leave Eau Claire, but the bond between her and Bob was sealed. Bob and Phyllis were married in 1961. They were blessed with three children; Eric, Karen, and Rolf. Her children were her passion. Phyllis taught her children to enjoy the simplicity of life.

As her children grew older, married, and had children, Phyllis focused on her new passion - Grandchildren: Antonio (Son of Eric and Rowena), Annika, Katja, Karl and Jenna (Children of Karen and Kurt Nuler), Emma and Sofie (Daughters of Rolf and Robin Johnson). Phyllis, ever the teacher, taught her children the simple joys of life. The children remember their grandmother fondly for gardening, sewing, cooking, and crafting.

Phyllis will be dearly missed by her husband Robert, children Eric (Rowena) Johnson, Karen (Kurt) Nuler, and Rolf (Robin) Johnson; and her grandchildren Antonio Johnson, Annika, Katja, Karl, and Jenna Nuler, Emma and Sofie Johnson.

Phyllis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church