Nancy Johnson

On October 27, 2025, Nancy Johnson joined her beloved husband in heaven to continue their adventures together. One of the first things on their list would have been to dance — not just any dance, but a waltz. Oh, how they loved to waltz. Watching them waltz was inspiring as they were the perfect couple and were so smooth on the dance floor. Several others were certainly there to welcome her to her eternal home — her parents, sister, grandparents, various relatives and friends. Her homecoming was surely wonderful!

Nancy Jane Christian Johnson was born on September 13, 1941, in her parents’ home in Clyde, Kansas. Her parents were Herbert and Ruth Hampton Christian, and there to welcome her home was her sister Patricia. Other siblings eventually joined the family— Stephen, Marilyn, Kathy, and Margaret and all were close their entire lives. Various other relatives lived nearby — grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - so family gatherings were a common occurrence. Nancy and Steve worked together doing whatever needed done around the farm - usually getting their chores done but also creating a few memories. Like the time Nancy took out a fence row to avoid knocking down any of her Father's corn! And Steve saved Nancy many times from the dreaded mouse!

Nancy graduated from Morganville High School in 1959. Nancy enjoyed being active in various school activities - school plays, concerts, dances, and playing half-court basketball. She was proud to claim the girls' basketball team had 4 perfect seasons while she attended —they never won a game! In 1958 a young man from a rival high school— Green! - asked her out!! Nancy was so excited and was so intent on getting ready for their first date, she had washed her hair and was bending over near the wood-burning stove to dry it when she got light-headed and passed out. Her mother called Neill and simply said 'Nancy can't go tonight!' and that was it. It took him some time before he worked up the courage to ask her out again — but he did!!!

Nancy moved to Manhattan, Kansas and worked on K-State Campus for a year after high school. Neill would go down each Sunday to see her and praise the tuna casserole she would make — revealing much later that he couldn't even stand tuna, but he put up with it for her!!! On April 24, 1960, Neill and Nancy wed in Morganville at the Morganville Methodist Church. Two children were born to them - Lori Denise on April 16, 1961, and Bradley Neill born on January 1, 1963. Nancy was a devoted wife and mother- always cooking, baking, sewing or cleaning. She worked a short time for Dan Roenigk at his office in Morganville then as a Ward Clerk at the Clay Center Hospital. Nancy left the hospital when Erma Spellman asked her to help establish the Clay County Health Department — a job Nancy enjoyed. An opening with USD 379 interested her, so she worked in the school nursing program - though she never became a nurse, she said she could put Band-Aids on with the best of them!!! She ended her career with the school as School Secretary at the Morganville Elementary School. At various points she knew most every elementary aged kid in Clay County — speculation of course, but probably pretty accurate!

Square dancing, camping, going on family vacations, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Sunday School, the kids school activities, and gardening/canning filled Neill and Nancy's lives for over 57 years. They visited all 50 United States and all the provinces of Canada! Grandchildren and great-grandchildren provided many hours of pleasure — more school activities and birthday parties, holidays and of course — reading books to every grandchild or great grandchild that would sit on her lap or beside her. Nancy knew each grandchild's favorite recipe to make and enjoyed their help in her kitchen whenever they went to visit. Neill passed on June 5, 2017. Living without him was extremely difficult for Nancy and she missed him greatly.

Nancy lived a full and happy life. She had many friends, was creative and always up for an adventure. She loved being around kids — reading to Kindergarteners at the Elementary School near Lori's house and reading to her great-grandchildren at Brad and Mary's.

Nancy had various health issues but felt like most of those issues were finally behind her. While many here will miss her terribly, comfort can be found knowing Nancy and Neill are together again — strolling across heaven, reliving all the many memories they created, watching over their kids, grand kids, great-grandkids and anticipating future great grandkids. She is at peace.

Left to grieve Nancy is her daughter, Lori Johnson of Lindsborg, KS; son, Bradley (Mary) Johnson of McPherson; sisters, Patricia Walker, Marilyn Elliot and Kathy Kirchoff; brother, Stephen Christian; grandchildren, Corey Peterson, Codey, Cyler and Cooper Johnson, Camey (Kasey) Heim, Caley (Dalyn) Chapman, and Celey Johnson; great grandchildren, Leo Peterson, MaeBree Chapman, Remington Johnson, Marlee Chapman, Aspen Johnson, and future great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Clay Center United Methodist Church in Clay Center, KS

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wichita Ronald McDonald House, Lindsborg Senior Center or the Morganville Methodist Church in care of the funeral home