Elsie Regina (Haglund) Johnson Johnston

Born September 7, 1922 in Skandia, a daughter of August F. and Anna Maria (Lindeblad) Haglund, Elsie attended the Skandia School and graduated in 1939 from the Graveraet High School. She enrolled in St. Luke’s School of Nursing, receiving certification as a registered nurse in 1945. During the 40’s, she worked during the polio epidemic, serving long hours caring for polio patients and saw the beginnings of new treatments and the expansion of Bay Cliff Health Camp as a place of care and treatment. On August 7, 1946, she married Norman Johnson and together the couple established a home in Skandia and began raising a family. Tragically, Norman died in an accident in 1953, leaving Elsie the mother of four children with another on the way.

She remained a single mother for 17 years, balancing being a homemaker with the responsibilities of a nursing career. Elsie’s career at St. Luke’s Hospital, and then with Marquette General Hospital, spanned over 30 years with the last 13 years devoted to nursing on the surgical floor. She retired in 1978. On December 26, 1970, Elsie married Carl Gilbert Johnston, who also had a family of seven children, with the couple making their home on Ingalls Road. Throughout life, Elsie maintained an amazingly deep faith. Humble and thankful, she credited her faith with getting her through the tough spots in the past with an appreciation and joy for the current moment. In her leisure, she enjoyed reading, cooking, playing cards, especially Smear. A country gal, she had a deep appreciation of nature and so much admired its beauty. Elsie was a baptized member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Skandia. She was also a member of the Elba Morse Retired Nurse’s Club, named in honor of the founder of Bay Cliff Health Camp.

Honoring Elsie’s wishes, private graveside services will be held at the Haglund Cemetery at a later date.

Elsie’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Eastwood Nursing Center for the loving care they gave her.

The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneral home.com