Bryce Gregory Johnson

Bryce Gregory Johnson, 59, Rockford, died at 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2008.  He was the son of Nels A. and Phyllis A. (von Schedvin) Johnson.  Bryce and his twin sister, Vicki Lynn, were born on January 19, 1949.  He was a high school graduate of Rockford East High School, Class of 1967 where he was active in both A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Linden Lundstrom, and the school musicals and plays.  He held an undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and a graduate degree from Northern Illinois University.  He did graduate study at the University of Uppsala, Sweden where his mothers ancestors studied for many generations.  He was proud of his Swedish ancestry and belonged to Schedvinska Attens Slaktforening, The American Scandinavian Association and the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study in past years.  He was baptized in Trinity Lutheran Church and belonged to Alpine Lutheran Church since he was five years old.  At Alpine, he was a past Church Council member, Chairman of the Christian Education Committee, usher and both youth and adult choir member over the years.  Bryce enjoyed the many years of fishing in Canada and northern Wisconsin with his family.  While at ISU, Bryce played soccer with an international team of students that played teams such as Bradley University. He also played soccer in the Rockford Park District leagues for Swedish Gym.  He very much enjoyed golfing through the years and was proud of his hole-in-one at the Ledges Golf Club in 1993.  Bryce retired from Rockford Public Schools in 2005 after 35 years in education.   He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Rita (Thomas) Gates and her children, Nicholas Nels Gates and Andrew Thomas (Marcie) Gates and their daughter, Addison Grace Gates.  Also survived by special family friend, Evelyn M. Johnson, Norma Rednour (aunt), Richard Nyquist, Marla (Rednour) Peterson, Charlotte Thorn, Harrison Streeter and Dennis Streeter (cousins) and their families as well as many friends.  He was predeceased by his parents and twin sister, Vicki Lynn.   Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2008 in Alpine Lutheran Church, 5001 Forest View Ave. with Rev. Dr. Richard Meier and Vicar Ebassa Berhanu officiating. Bryces  nephew, Andrew Gates will also assist with the service.  Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Monday in the church. In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to contribute to Alpine Lutheran Church or Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center.  A special thanks to the numerous friends and family members for the many visits and cards, and to the caring first floor staff at P.A. Peterson Center For Health.  Bryce was a wonderful brother, uncle, son and a friend to many and will be greatly missed. Arrangements were completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.