Suzanne Johnson Nelson, 79, of Green Valley, Arizona, formerly of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2021, in Tucson and in time to celebrate the resurrection in person with the Resurrected; she was comforted in her passing by her children.

Suzanne "Sue" was born on August 23, 1942, in Rockford, Illinois, the only daughter of Einar and Doris (Miller) Johnson. She married the love of her life, James H. Nelson in a snowstorm on January 6, 1962, in Rockford, Illinois. Jim preceded her in death on August 28, 2015.

Sue and Jim raised their family of Swedish heritage in Rockford, Illinois and Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. She was an executive secretary at Sundstrand Corporation at the time of her marriage and later taught preschool at Bethesda Covenant Church, both in Rockford. Sue dedicated her life to volunteering to many projects that she was passionate about. In the early years of her children, she was a constant presence in their lives by chairing school funfairs, being a room-mother and picture day lady, volunteering at book fairs, and a member of school booster clubs. Sue was a Sunday school teacher and concert pianist for the children's choir at First Covenant church. She was an AAU Official at swim meets for the Rockford Marlins and Rockford Swim Club. Sue was on the serving team at Heartland Church in Rockford, Illinois, and their growth group for many years. She served as the garden walk Chairman for Plant-A-Holics in Northern Illinois for a number of years, and recently was a member of the Green Valley Gardeners in Arizona. Sue served on the East High School Class of 1960 reunion committee throughout her life, by keeping up with her classmates and planning events including a yearly women's luncheon.

Sue was an accomplished artist, musician, traveler, and hostess par excellence. Sue loved playing daily on her beautiful baby grand piano and would play nightly for her husband. Together they recorded a collection of love songs that they sent as a CD to their children and grandkids for Valentine's Day as well as Christmas greetings that were emailed to their friends. Sue loved gardening. She was most proud of the over 200 varieties of Hostas she grew in her garden back in Rockford and knew the name of each plant. Sue even cultivated her own signature Nelson Hosta. In her personal time, Sue was most happy when she was creating something, whether it was making greeting cards, painting or repurposing something such as her famous bowling ball garden statues.

Sue loved the time she spent in the NorthWoods of Wisconsin, and their home they built, christened Nelson's Nordic Woods on Fishtrap Lake in Boulder Junction; she walked the beach on Lake Superior collecting rocks and fishing. She was especially proud of the Musky that she caught and hung mounted in "her office" above the kitchen sink. Sue and Jim enjoyed time spent with their potluck group they formed upon graduating high school and continue to connect after sixty-two years. Sue loved to travel. She and Jim were especially happy when they were at the Sea Gulls in Taviner, Florida Keys where they rented a condo for over 10 years and made many lifelong friends. Sue and Jim were most happy when they were planning trips and activities with their grandchildren which included a journey on the SS Badger to explore the pictured rocks and a 40-mile bike trip on the Sparta trail ending with a stop at the Mall of America and the family photo on a box of Wheaties at the cereal museum. She deeply loved and was proud of her family. Retiring to Green Valley, Arizona in 2018, was an answer to her prayers, finding a new desert home with a garden, making wonderful new friends, and a place to call her spiritual home for her final chapter, the Desert Hills Lutheran Church of Green Valley.

Sue is survived by her children, Jayne (Mike) Mozal of Sturgis, Michigan, Peter Nelson and Andrew Nelson, both of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Paris (Kevin) Scott, Hunter (Claire) Nelson, Paxton (Jess) Nelson, Axel (Jorie) Mozal, Coleman Nelson, Madison Mozal, and Gunnar Mozal; four great-grandchildren, Sven and Odin Nelson, Freyja and Roar Scott; along with many wonderful and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, parents-in-law, Harold and Clarice (Ekstrom) Nelson, and a brother, Dale Johnson.

Donations may be made in Sues' memory to either the Desert Hills Lutheran Church of Green Valley, The Green Valley Gardeners Service Club, or the charity of your choice. Green Valley Mortuary & Cemetery, Green Valley, Arizona is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would like to thank Sue's neighbors and the pastoral staff of Desert Hills Lutheran Church who held us up both in assistance and prayer during her short final journey. A celebration of life for Sue will be held at a later date.