Jeannette Anne Keller Johnson

Jeannette Anne Johnson of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015 after a long illness. Memorial services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Kansas University Endowment Association for the benefit of the Spencer Museum of Art, or to Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence.

Jeannette was born in Aurora, Illinois, September 5, 1944, the daughter of John A. and Wilma J. Keller. She attended Kaneland High School in Maple Park, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in Germanic Languages and Literatures from the University of Kansas. While at KU, she met her husband and best friend, Dan Vernon Johnson, whom she married in Lawrence on October 1, 1971. As a newly married couple, they spent several happy years in both Lawrence, Kansas and in Seattle, Washington, before returning to Lawrence to start a family and rear two boys, Thomas and Eric. Dan, Eric, Thomas and his wife Corey Heiberger, all of Lawrence, survive her, as well as her brother William J. Keller and his wife Cheryl, of Elburn, Illinois, and their children Kevin Keller and Kimberly Slavik, and their families.

She spent her entire professional career at the University of Kansas, including staff and administrative roles in the Department of English, the School of Education, the Executive Vice Chancellor's office, and the Office of the Provost. She retired as the Director of the Policy Office at the University of Kansas in December of 2012. Jeannette loved KU and made countless friends throughout her career and on into retirement, where she remained active at the university through her role as a docent at the Spencer Museum of Art and through her membership in the University Women's Club.

Jeannette's passions and interests were gardening, cooking, reading, art, and travel. She loved music, especially blues music, and continually fostered and encouraged her children's musical development and appreciation. Throughout her entire life, Jeannette enjoyed a full and happy home, filled with family, cats, conversation, and laughter. She leaves behind a legacy of beautiful memories for her loving family, friends, and all that knew her well.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.

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Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Sep. 14, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeannette Johnson

12 Entries

James Denbow

July 6, 2021

Looking for an old friend from the university of Illinois and I come across this, and the obituary of your mother, Wilma. Love and good bye to you both.

Winder & Kathy McConnell

September 18, 2015

With our deepest sympathy.

Karen Ledom

September 15, 2015

I am so sad to hear of Jeannette's passing. I enjoyed working with her at KU and hearing her read at Sunday Mass. She will be missed. God Bless.

Betty Pickerel

September 15, 2015

May you be comforted during these saddened times, and may you rejoice in her love that she shared with so many. I knew her through Human Resources at KU...she was invaluable to the University and to her other passionate interests. She will always be remembered for her knowledge, devotion, kindness, service and love.

Pat Argueta

September 15, 2015

So sorry to hear the news of Jeannette's passing. She was a kind and vivacious person and loved the university. I gained a confidante when I met her several years ago. She will be sadly missed. My sincere condolences to her family.

Bill Staples

September 15, 2015

I am sorry to read about Jeannette's passing. I always enjoyed working with her during my time as Dept Chair. KU has lost a good friend.

Kellie Harmon

September 15, 2015

I was just talking about her the other day and how I missed her being on campus. She was so helpful to me and no one could replace her when she retired. She was a wonderful, supportive colleague and will be greatly missed.

Jill Hummels

September 15, 2015

What a great person. Jeannette's passing is a huge loss to the rest of us. She was a wealth of information at KU and someone with seemingly boundless energy and capacity for friendship.

John Augusto

September 14, 2015

So sad to hear the news. Jeannette was a great mentor to me...she loved life and her work at KU.

September 14, 2015

She was possibly the best person I worked with at KU administration. Knowledgeable, ethical,fair, helpful, and just a great human. I thought very highly of her. Sorry. Mike Auchard

Sandra Wick

September 14, 2015

So sad to hear this news. Jeannette helped me navigate the university in my early years there. Always helpful and full of energy, empathy and fun. Condolences to Dan, Tom and Eric and rest of her family

Melissa Manning

September 14, 2015

I often worked with Jeanette when I was an Affirmative Action officer
at KU. She was not only always helpful she was also such fun to be around. We used to tell stories of our cats often when I came to see her in the EVC's office. A fine person, sorry to hear she is gone.

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