Bernadine Anne Johnson Grundy

Bernadine Anne Johnson Grundy died peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Primrose Retirement Community in Appleton.

She was 94 years old. Betty was born on October 21, 1931, in Chicago, to Edgar and Bernadine (Rehn) Johnson. She was named after her mother but grew up with the nickname Betty which stuck throughout her life. Her family owned and developed property on Blue Lake in Minocqua, where Betty would spend her summers growing up. It was during this time that she met her future husband, George Grundy.

The Johnson family moved to Park Ridge and Betty graduated from Maine Township High School — long before Hillary Clinton did. She attended the University of Dubuque for two years because she was too young to enroll in nursing school, and then attended the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing which was separate from the university at the time.

Mom completed her nurses training, as well as the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the university. This was an achievement that she was always proud of because, “Nurses didn’t attend university in the 50s — they went to hospital-based programs.”

Upon graduation, Betty became one of the first RNs employed at the original Lakeland Memorial Hospital in Woodruff, where she worked full and part time as well at the Howard Young Medical Center throughout her life. At the end of her nursing career, she was asked to teach Gogebic College nursing practicum students at the Howard Young Medical Center. This was a job Betty thoroughly enjoyed. Betty loved to discuss the development of nursing programs throughout the years and kept abreast of her classmate’s achievements throughout their lives.

Betty and George were married on June 2, 1956 at Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church after being reacquainted as young adults. Together they built a home on Country Club Road in Minocqua where they raised two children and lived for 62 years. Betty and George spent their retirement years travelling in an RV and meeting people from around the country.

Betty was also involved in her community and volunteered with the Minocqua Public Library and the Minocqua Museum. One of her most enjoyable volunteer projects was assisting with photography during the Minocqua Centennial. From there she went on to enjoy photography as a hobby and was often asked to use her skills at her church and for The Lakeland Times. Betty was the secretary for the committee that developed Squirrel Ski Hill, now Winter Park, and she was a long-time member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 89 which was affiliated with Post 89. Betty wore many hats for the auxiliary, the last being president. She was very patriotic and could be seen wearing red, white and blue during the patriotic holidays.

Betty is survived by her daughter Allison (Paul Thome) and son Andy (Bobby) as well as four grandsons, Kyle, Aaron, Christopher and Parker, and two great-grandchildren, Russell and Christopher Kyle (with two more pending). She is also survived by her brother Charles (Fran) Johnson, niece Mary (Bob) Kopah, and nephew Brian Johnson, as well as great-niece Ella and great-nephews James and Charley. Betty was preceded in death by her husband George and her parents Edgar and Bernadine Johnson as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Betty’s family wishes to thank the Primrose and Moments Hospice staff for their compassionate care for her, and Bolger Funeral Home for their assistance with all arrangements. Betty will be interred beside her husband George at the Minocqua Memorial Cemetery with a private service. Any memorials can be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, Moments Hospice, or a charity of choice.

Betty was very proud of her Swedish heritage and that she was left-handed, Lutheran and a Libra. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. 

Bolger Cremation & Funeral Services is assisting the family, visit www.bolgerfuneral.com to share condolences.