Jan Ostrom Richard Earl (Dick) Johnson
Jan Ostrom passed away on November 1, 2021. The world has lost a remarkable woman.
There’s a line from a Mary Oliver poem that beautifully reflects Jan’s approach to life, “I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world,” and Jan certainly did not!
It would be impossible to know just how many lives Jan touched, impacted, and changed during the course of her lifetime. Her multiple careers, each reflecting her wonderfully varied interests
and skills, spanned decades. Jan’s first profession was as a social worker in Los Angeles where she once found herself comforting incarcerated teenage girls during lockdown as the 1965 Watts riots raged. She was sensitive enough to know they “just needed someone to listen to them.”
Later, she followed her passion and earned her MFA in Film and Television Production from UCLA. This led to her second career teaching at the university level, as well as a satisfying run with NBC Television in Los Angeles. Appreciated for her abilities, work ethic, and interpersonal skills, Jan was a respected member of television production for many years.
Content with her life, Jan was happily surprised when she met and fell deeply in love with Alexandra Wineland. They eventually moved to Eureka, CA and Jan began yet another chapter in her rich life. Possessing a wide range of skills, Jan worked for the Humboldt County Department of Public Health, and later, directed the College of the Redwoods Diversity Program.
Jan often remarked how Alex changed her life “in the best possible way.” When they were finally
y y able to legally marry in 2008, Jan was quoted as saying the two had been together “exactly 22 and a half years, three beautiful, beautiful, beautiful daughters, seven wonderful grandchildren and a stunning great grandchild!” A strong team, these two exceptional women created a wonderful life together, one that included traveling, returning repeatedly to their beloved Hawaii.
In retirement, Jan was a valued volunteer at the Humboldt Botanical Gardens, using her many media skills to promote the gardens she so treasured. She also returned to her television roots and happily produced two programs for PBS KEET. The staffs at both organizations thought highly of her, appreciating her many contributions and good nature! And, in a decision that was quintessential Jan, she made her theatrical debut at 72 in the Humboldt Light Opera Company’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” She was a munchkin who lit up the stage!
Jan had that wonderful ability to truly connect with people. She was a gifted organizer who could size up a problem and find a solution in short order. A talented storyteller and writer, she had been compiling family stories to include in an entertaining collection for her family. (Her childhood in rural
Alaska was fascinating … and hysterical!) Later in life, Jan’s articles would regularly appear in The Senior News and The L-Word.
Jan’s real legacy in all of these endeavors was how highly respected and regarded she was.
People just fell in love with her! Most of all, Jan was kind. She was so
aware of others and their circumstances, so quick to offer her time, skills, and empathy. Family members and those fortunate to have
had the honor of her friendship, will forever miss her compassion, generosity, wit, and beautiful heart.
At Jan’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Humboldt Botanical Gardens.
“Take My Hand Precious Lord…” It is with sadness we announce the passing of Richard Earl (Dick) Johnson in
the early morning hours of October 7, 2021. He had many health challenges over the past few years. He was born on July 19, 1936 in American Falls, ID to John Earl and Dessie Ellen Lind Johnson.
Dick enjoyed following the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers. He was a #1 fan of his grandson, Nathan, who played football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He never missed a game on TV and was lucky to have attended a game in person. He was present at most of the grand kid’s sports events, concerts and birthday parties. He always took time to write poems for family and friends.
Dick loved water skiing with friends and family, especially Herb Neely, and taught many how to ski at Trinity Lake – he loved it. He also loved to cut wood, hunt with close friends and sing in the church choir. Dick sang for 56 years with the Humboldt Harmonaires Barbershop organization, singing right up to the last week of his life. He wrote “Community Comments” which aired on KINS radio for 41 years. He loved Brian and Angie and their crew. A favorite pastime included crossword puzzles and playing cribbage with close friends. Dick was active in Calvary Lutheran Church from age 15 through 85. He helped build the church, served on the church council and assisted Pastors with Sunday services.
Dick graduated from Eureka High School in 1954 and participated on several reunion committees. He attended Humboldt State for 2 years and then went to meat cutting school. He began working for Norris Market as a bag boy at age 15, working his way up to meat cutter and grocery clerk until he retired in 2001. He loved working in grocery stores because he liked the comradery of the employees and customers and learning new jokes which he loved to share. He never left a doctor’s office without telling one or two jokes, or bringing them his famous oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies.
Dick had many knee surgeries documented by his license plate “6 Knees”. He was a cancer survivor and was on dialysis for kidney failure for approximately 4 years.
As a father, Dick was a teacher of values, honesty and hard work. He loved Christmas, gathering on Christmas morning with his family, singing Christmas songs and eating the traditional huckleberry pancakes. AND, don’t forget overseeing the traditional Swedish Potato Dumpling dinner on New Year’s Eve. He truly was a wonderful father, grandpa, brother and husband; we will miss him dearly.
Dick is survived by his wife of 41 years, Andrea K. Johnson, son Richard (Rick) Johnson (Nancee), daughter Terra Lynn Madsen (Jim), stepdaughter April Kay McGowan (Ken), grandchildren Brendan James Madsen, Jenna Michele Madsen, Nathan Thomas Madsen, Madeline Claire McGowan, Seth Aaron McGowan, brother Donald Johnson (Lou), sisters Diane Ellis (Greg) and Sandra Burroughs.
Dick was preceded in death by his father and mother, Earl and Dessie Johnson (Zebo), sister Debbie Foster and brothers-in-law Dennis Burroughs and Gary Foster.
A big thank you to Doctors Mathew, Shereshevsky, Zagone , Taylor, Gambin and Iverson and their staff, Mad River Home Health and their caring staff at Mad River Hospital and the wound Clinic; nurses and techs and staff at Fresenius Dialysis. Thank you also to the doctors and staff at Humboldt Orthopedics, St. Joseph Hospital nurses and doctors and the Emergency Department staff at St. Joseph’s. Last but not least, thank you to Hospice of Humboldt and all of the dial-a-ride staff and drivers.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church. Attendees will be required to follow Covid guidelines, wear masks and practice social distancing.
Donations can be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, Humboldt Harmonaires or a favorite charity.Arrangements are being handled by Ayres Family Cremation and Oceanview Cemetary.