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The passing of Janet Johnson-and Willard Munger-this summer should cause us to rededicate ourselves to finding new ways of thinking, new ways of doing things, new ways of living in community with each other. In her way of looking to the future, Janet was a visionary. She was a progressive in the best sense of the word.

Janet brought this perspective to all her environmental issues: to sustain the natural resources that we will leave to our children, to renew ourselves and our economies, we have to work together to find new paths, new ways, new rules. We need to keep alive her vision that environmentalism is a way of thinking, a way of doing things better and smarter, investing in the future and preserving the natural world that is the foundation of all work and all wealth. .
I know she would appreciate it if I ended by stating something obvious: Janet Johnson's work is unfinished. We are all called by her life to emulate what was best in her: to work hard at building communities while we protect the natural world; to be gentle with each other; and to continue to find new ways to leave things better for the next generation. That's what she would want. That's what Janet Johnson would want us to do.
- Michael Noble
August 28,1999
North Branch, MN

Trying to represent Janet's friends is an awesome task there are so many of us. In visiting with some of her friends, certain words are heard many times:
Thoughtfulness, Fun, Open, Time.
Janet is a role model for the rest of us when it comes to thoughtfulness. She didn't just think about writing a thank you note or make a phone call of encouragement she did it. Many friends recall those notes and phone calls.
And when it comes to fun, Janet defined the term. Her theme parties will never be forgotten. Again, many of us think it would be fun to host a theme party, but we need to wash the windows, clean the oven, polish the furniture and cook and bake. But Janet did it! Just call up friends, send out some invites, buy some hula hoops or Fred Astaire movies or dig up some Star Wars costumes and go for it. Light candles so you cant see the dust. Buy theme food from Sams Club. As our mutual friend, Ellen, says, well never look at a Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers film without thinking of Janet if, indeed, we ever look at those films again.
Janet knew how to fish for fun. No fish locators, depth finders, fancy rods and reels and spectacular files of the scientific fisherman for her. We learned how to fish with cane poles and worms off the dock at the cabin on Lake Kabetogama.
Open: Janet was always open her door was open her mind was open her heart was open to all who met her. If friendship can be defined in terms of feeling safe with each other, we had that safety with Janet. She and we could bounce ideas off each other, even politically incorrect ideas, without fear of a put down, or a put off. She was open to her friends varying life styles, philosophies and religious outlooks. To be a friend, did not mean to be the same. The differences were precious.
Time. We all have 24 hours a day, but Janet knew how to pack in 48. If there is one word that enters every conversation about Janet, it is time. Time for princes and paupers. Time for oldsters and babies. Time for work and play. Time for family and friends.
Its really ironic that her time with us was cut so short. We had no time for a "Minnesota goodbye."
Twyla Ring

Janet dearly loved her Minnesota community-coming here to a different world than the Bronx of New York. But she loved the environment and nature-she treasured it, actually revelled in it. Janet's activism and involvement was fueled by her concern for the community's good yet living in concert with our environment, assuring the good life and a viable environment for the next generations.

She was committed and wonderfully zealous, and generous with all the gifts she possessed-vision and talent and knowledge and concern. Scattered throughout our lives, like grace notes, are special persons or events that bring such grace to delight our lives. Janet was like that.

When I heard that Janet was struggling with the reality of cancer, I went to sit alone in her office-to be where she'd been. And then, again, I went there after her death. I went to be still, to grieve and to remember.

What thoughts can I bring to treasure Janet? There among her things were models and posters and reminders of her commitment to harnessing the wind to produce electrical power, using that gift of nature for our needs, reducing our reliance on resources we cannot afford to waste or that pollute.

In those days since, I've thought often about what to connect Janet with, and it has to be the wind. For the wind can be gentle and caressing at times-musical, too-and strong and full of power. And the wind is missed, too, on those "all too still" days.

And so today, take a thought to ponder when you think of Janet.

When you feel or hear the wind, catch her spirit in that wind and remember, for we had among us a grand woman, elegant and committed, zealous and gracious, a young woman from the Bronx who came to Minnesota and rooted herself and grew to be the best that we would like to be.
-Senator Pat Piper

Hi, I'm Mr. Janet Johnson

Janet always felt embarrassed when I put that on my name tag when I went to share and event with her -
But it was my way of saying you did this all by yourself.

As you have heard, she accomplished a fantastic amount of good in the short time she shared with all of us.

I'm here to share a little bit of our life together -
To celebrate the life of Janet.


I tried to bring a little bit of Janet into the celebration-

First of all, a little bit of her vanity by displaying an 8 year old picture.

Then her love of nature with some red rocks we brought back from Sedona.

Her love of color with a turquoise iron gate we bought in Sante Fe

She was always trying to get the most amount of adventure for the least amount of dollars - so I brought 2 rattan plant stands and a leather camel saddle we bargained for at yard sales.

Actually, she had a hard time asking for a discount or trying to get a dollar or two knocked off the price - she always said "you go bargain with them, you're good at that".

Then she would proceed to tell me how she "found" a million dollars for some state project by getting everyone to compromise.

 

I've had 27 years with Janet and as I look back it's been fantastic

We've had so many adventures and shared so much of life

Her illness amounted to two percent of that time - so I've got to remind myself of the other ninety eight percent of the time we spent together.

She was always looking for something new and interesting to do.

As I sat in her office at home I looked at her bulletin board and realized how diverse her interests were - you can tell that by looking at all her friends here today

Here's a list of some of those items on her bulletin board

- Instructions on how to fillet a Northern Pike without leaving any bones

- A gallery opening notice from a dear painter friend on her exhibit entitled "The Feminine Face of God"

- A Star Wars fan club insiders newsletter

- A picture of her with Ex-Governor Rudy Perpich

- Instructions for making drain cleaner from all natural ingredients

- A copy of her son Erik's newsletter put out by their alternative rock band

- A note to look for summer clothes to bring to the Beach Dome

- A news clipping on her steadfast stance against storing nuclear reactor rods in the middle of the Mississippi River

- Instructions on how to build a butterfly house

- An e-mail address for my dad's ex-boss - she was trying to figure out how we could get to visit him - never mind that my dad's ex-boss was 105 and lives in Costa Rica

- A letter from a friend that read - "Thank you for everything! You're still my first choice for governor maybe in 2002. Carry on the fight, dear friend, for the reward is the act of struggle itself."

An invitation to her 59th birthday party last March - the theme was the big band era of the 30's and 40's

We featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger movies primarily for our 2 year old granddaughter Sarah - you see, Sarah wasn't going to do ordinary kid things - Janet had introduced her to Fred and Ginger and now Sarah knows 6 of their movies by heart and has her own pair of tap shoes. And it was Janet's way of getting Jessica to put Sarah into a fancy dress because Sarah wanted to be just like Ginger.


Everyone I meet say's "I can't believe she's gone"

Well, she really isn't - somehow she found a way to give a part of herself to everyone of you

Hundreds of card's and calls relate personal stories of how she touched each of our lives

I'd like to read part of a letter from Chris-


Dear Dennis and family--

When I think of Janet, I think of bright lipstick, stunning suits, fabulous hair, and a great graciousness. To me she was always a hippie inside all of that (an image from some old photo you had on your wall), selling Christmas trees from your land and dome homes in her jeans at the State Fair, and doing it all with style. Janet made everything she did seem effortless.

Thank you, Dennis and her children, for letting her share so much of herself with the good citizens of the state of Minnesota. I know how much time that takes away from a family. She will be missed terribly by the many people she touched, including me.

No doubt she is already organizing a caucus up in heaven, perhaps trying to get St. Peter replaces with St. Joan, for equity sake.

 

She gave the most to her children

To Jess, she gave her ability to organize the facts, sum up the situation and take charge

To Jen, she gave her desire to help anyone in need and the patience to teach children

To Erik, our 23 year old son, (and she would add "He's still single, girls", she gave her Italian suntanned skin and black hair, and her ability to meet someone and within minutes, make them feel like she knew them forever

To Sarah, our granddaughter - she gave you everything!


She used to get a little upset when I tried to answer that trick question they put on the family fishing license application - "what color are your wives' eyes?" One year I said green, one year I said gray.

Janet had vision - The ability to see the long range plan. Those gorgeous smiling brown eyes were always looking for something new - Looking to discover everything else life had to offer. Can you imagine looking at the world through Janet's eyes? Well, somewhere, in the State of Minnesota, someone is. No one knows this, but Janet's eyes were successfully transplanted the day after she left this world. That's one damn lucky person


I'm going to try to close by reading what I was going to sing to her on our 25th wedding anniversary next year - I was going to have Erik play the music

It goes:

My love for you is immeasurable - my respect for you immense
You're ageless, timeless, lace & fineness - you're beauty & elegance
You're a rhapsody, a comedy, a symphony & a play
You're every love song ever written but honey what do you see in me
You're an essay in glamour - please pardon the grammar
But you're every school boy's dream
You're in my heart - you're in my soul
You'll be my breath should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend - you're in my soul

Our family would like to thank you for celebrating Janet's life with us

We will be in the commons area down the hall - there are also story books so that you can tell us your story about Janet - We invite you to share some dessert or veggies and Juice

As we get up to share some stories about Janet, I'd like to play my other song for Janet my love

("Blue Sky" - Allman Brothers)


Walk along the river, sweet Alabam
It just keeps on flowing, it don't worry 'bout where it's going.
Don't fly Mr. Bluebird, I'm just walking down the road,
Early morning sunshine tells me all I need to know.

You're my blue sky, you're my sunny day,
Lord you know it makes me high
When you turn your love my way
Turn your love my way

Good old Sunday morning, bells are ringing everywhere
But we're going to Carolina, won't be long and we'll be there

You're my blue sky, you're my sunny day,
Lord you know it makes me high
When you turn your love my way -
Turn your love my way

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