Nell Marie Johnson

Obituary Nell Marie George Johnson, devoted wife of Einer Wesley (Wes) Johnson, Jr., died on August 8, 2015, at Charter House, after a prolonged illness.She was 90. Born February 11, 1925, Nell was the youngest of six children born to Nellie Weeth George and William Franklin George, in Iowa Park, Texas.Her parents grew up on neighboring homesteads in the territory that would become the state of Texas.Nell was a loving daughter, full of admiration for her parents integrity through the changing demands of their long lives.Nell was president of the 1942 senior class at Iowa Park High School and graduated from the University of Texas in 1946 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Her first job was with the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States in Dallas. In 1949 she moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to take a position at Chase National Bank. Nell met her future husband, Wes, in Colorado Springs where he was practicing orthopedic surgery at Colorado Springs Medical Center. They married in 1951. In the same year, Wes was invited to join the Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Staff in Rochester, MN. Nell raised her family in Rochester and supported her husband in his work. In her free time, she enjoyed the social and intellectual aspects of her bridge and investment clubs. Nell was very proud of her growing family and, with her beloved Wes, hosted annual family gatherings in northern Minnesota.Although she never lost her Texas accent or adjusted to the winter weather, she was a committed supporter of the city of Rochester, St. Lukes Episcopal Church and Mayo Clinic. Preceded in death by her parents, husband and four siblings, Nell is survived by her sister Willie Mae Estes, four children--Lisa Schlesinger (Charles Allen), Jeffrey Johnson, M.D. (Nan), Sarah Armstrong (Scott), Andrea Beck (Scott)nine grandchildren-- David Schlesinger (Marina), Suzanna Altman (Bryan), Jacob Schlesinger, Eric Johnson, Reid Johnson, Kathryn Johnson, Katherine Armstrong, Lauren Armstrong, Annika Beckand one great-grandchildAnnette Altman. The family wishes to thank many loving family members and friends whose friendship helped sustain Nell throughout her life.We are grateful to the staff at Charter House for the skilled care and kindness that supported Nell as she lived through her last years with the dignity she so admired in her parents. Services: There will be a service at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Rochester on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 3pm with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Sparks officiating.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Lukes Episcopal Church.