Geraldine Johanson, 84, of Geneseo, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., August 15, 2020, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel. Reverend Laura Kamprath will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., prior to the memorial service at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Geraldine Johanson Memorial Fund.
Geraldine was born August 4, 1936, the daughter of Marie (Lundin) Hayes, Chicago, IL. She graduated from Lakeview High School in 1955, where she was a baton-twirling majorette. Geraldine attended Metro Business College, Chicago. She sang with the Viking Choraliers and was Lucia of Chicago, 1957. In July of 1957, at a Viking Gurnee picnic, she met the love of her life - Perry Johanson - and married him on November 26, 1960, in Chicago. Together they raised two beautiful children, Yvonne and Kevin. Perry preceded her in death on January 24, 2014. She was employed as a teacher’s aide at Julia Molloy Education Center, Morton Grove, IL. She also was the accountant for her husband’s business. In 2001, after retirement, they moved to Geneseo, where the grandchildren kept her busy. Geraldine enjoyed working with children, watching beautiful sunsets, and was meticulous at making lists. She loved hosting parties and made special memories with family and friends on their boat in Three Lakes, Wisconsin, and Lake Michigan. She volunteered at Millikin Elementary and the dance studio, Artists in Motion. She loved flowers, her dog Chloe, and especially her grandchildren.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Yvonne (James) Wayne, Geneseo; son, Kevin Johanson, Geneseo; grandchildren, Garrick (Mercedes) Wayne, Kyle (fiancé Caley Lawrence) Wayne, and Lydia Wayne; and family in Sweden.