Genevieve L. Johnson

Genevieve “Genny” L. Johnson, 97, of Rockford, passed away on February 16, 2025. She was born on December 9, 1927, in Rockford, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Petroski) Yankus. She met the love of her life, Bertil “Bert” E. Johnson at City National Bank while bring over the daily deposits from her place of work. Genny and Bert married on June 6, 1953, and together had 4 loving sons. She attended Rockford Business College before working as a medical secretary for Dr. Stanley Anderson for 20+ years. She moved on to Rockford Health Systems, working there for 15 additional years and retiring in 1994. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and was an avid quilter. She had a passion for baking with her rice pudding and molasses cookies being family favorites. Bert and Genny enjoyed spending time with their friends at their potluck group. Genny was a long-time member of Alpine Lutheran Church and its Deborah circle group. She later became a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and was an active participant with the Do Day Ladies quilting group. She was a loving, dedicated, steadfast, and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. Genny displayed strength, compassion, and determination until the end. Even as her mobility and physical strength declined the past few years, her mind remained “sharp as a tack” up to her last day. 

She is survived by her sons, Stuart, Franklyn (Helen), Theodore (Melissa) and Clifford (Nicole); grandchildren, Nathaniel (Christina), Zachary (Paige), Kiersten, Lindsey (Clint) Luckett, and Emily; 1 great grandson, Leo Luckett (who shares the same birthday as Genny); as well as her nieces and nephew. She is predeceased by her parents; husband, Bert; and brothers, Alex, Walter, and Leonard.

A Funeral Service will be on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3301 Corbridge Lane Rockford, IL 61107, with a visitation prior to the service starting at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow the next day at Kishwaukee Cemetery in Stillman Valley, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.