Nancy Drake Johnson (née Wentz) was born November 16, 1934 to Edward and Kathryn Wentz. She died peacefully, surrounded by family on October 20, 2021 at age 86.

Nancy grew up near Sharon, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State and went on to earn a master’s degree in Child Psychology. She lived in Norway for a year while working at a Children’s Home, making friends and learning the language. Later in life she enjoyed returning to visit her friends.

In 1971 Nancy purchased 96 acres of land on Thomas Lake, northwest of Two Harbors, MN. She remodeled the old farmhouse on the property and opened the Thomas Lake Treatment Home, a group home for children with behavioral problems, which she ran for over 7 years. Thomas Lake remained a very special place to her for the remainder of her life.

Nancy married Bob Johnson on June 4, 1977, and they settled in White Bear Lake, MN. After closing the Treatment Home in 1979, she subsequently worked as a Child Psychologist for the Anoka School District, where she stayed until she retired. She and Bob continued to enjoy the acreage she kept in Thomas Lake, spending weekends in an old 1950’s Crestliner trailer that served as their very rustic “cabin.”

After retirement Nancy and Bob enjoyed homes in Port Angeles, WA and Green Valley, AZ, but always returned each summer to the Thomas Lake property to enjoy the peace and beauty of the north woods. Eventually, they built a small cabin that included the amenities of running water, electricity, and a real bathroom! In 2013, they returned to live year round in MN to be closer to family. Upon her death, Nancy donated her beloved Thomas Lake property to The Nature Conservancy, an environmental organization she supported for many years.

In retirement, Nancy pursued her passion of painting. She studied old masters and became quite proficient in painting with oils and acrylics. She and Bob also traveled extensively, often on Road Scholar trips to learn about the history and culture of the countries they visited. They always looked forward to returning home though, back to the many dogs and cats who were their loyal companions throughout the years.

Nancy’s family would like to express deep gratitude to the staff of The Lakes at Stillwater Memory Care for the compassionate care they gave to Nancy the last 16 months of her life.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Kathryn Wentz, loving husband Robert Lee “Bob” Johnson and stepdaughter Elizabeth Sue Johnson. She is survived by her sister, Kathryn Wentz, of Rochester Hills, Michigan; stepdaughters Cindy (Allen Perry) Johnson, Leslie (Tim) Foreman and Melissa (William) Lindau, five step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild; much loved cousins in Maryland, New York, and Arizona; and dear friends Marie Vanderpoel Wilson and Becky Norlein. Gifts in Nancy’s memory may be made to your local animal shelter.