Nancy L. (Petersen) Johnson

After a full life of 94 years, Nancy Lucile Petersen Johnson died peacefully on July 29th, 2021 at Silver Cross Pavilion at Friendship Manor in Rock Island, Illinois. 

Nancy was born in Clinton, Iowa in 1927, the first of two daughters of Howard Petersen and Lucile Quick Petersen.  Nancy graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton Iowa in 1944 and from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon Iowa in 1948.  In 1948 Nancy married Maynard Johnson of Low Moor, Iowa and they moved to Rock Island, Illinois.  They raised four sons and one daughter.

Nancy was a teacher of music in the Rock Island Public Schools for 25 years, retiring in 1987.  She was also a church organist and choir director, serving at the Church of Peace and Memorial Christian Church in Rock Island, and at Riverside Methodist Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, Illinois.  She played for many weddings and services throughout the Quad Cities.  Nancy also gave private piano lessons in her homes in Rock Island and Moline, organized many musical groups, and accompanied many vocal and instrumental soloists.  Creating music programs was a special talent.

Nancy was a life member of NEA/IEA, a past president of the Blackhawk Unit of Retired Teachers, a member of Agnes Hirst Circle of Kings Daughters, Fine Arts Club, Music Students/Etude Club, a chapter of PEO, and a life member of the Rock Island PTA.  She also served on the Board and Executive Council of Friendship Manor.

Survivors include her children and spouses Larry (Debbie) Johnson of Libertyville, Illinois, Randy (Peggy) Johnson of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Scott Johnson of Moline, Mark Johnson of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and Jane (Kevin) McNulty of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  Grandchildren include Ben Johnson of Wheaton, Illinois, Jeff Johnson of Minooka, Illinois, Stacy Johnson of Clinton, Wisconsin, April Cobb of Racine, Wisconsin, Barbara Johnson of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Christina McNulty of Nashville, Tennessee, and Alexandra McNulty of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  Nancy was also proud of her six great-grandchildren.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Maynard, her parents and her sister Joyce. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island.  Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:30 am Saturday at the funeral home.  A private family burial will take place at Clinton Lawn Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.  Memorials may be made in care of Friendship Manor.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com

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