1926
Helen
2024
Helen Johnson
March 25, 1926 — December 3, 2024
Helen Johnson: An Extraordinary Woman, an Extraordinary Life
A woman who lived an extraordinary life throughout 98 years slipped into eternity on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Helen L. Johnson (nee Freberg) was the beloved mother of five, grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of 24.
Helen’s life touched many others with her sweet spirit, lovingkindness, deep Christian faith, and devotion to the Chicago Cubs. As a self-described “sports junkie,” her habits included following Cubs’ baseball, and reading the Bible and the Chicago Tribune – but it was the Bible that she continually relied upon for life guidance.
Helen was born March 25, 1926, in Waukegan, Illinois, the youngest of Edward and Ruth Freberg’s four girls, the others being Jean, “Brownie” and Virginia. Helen stood out as a young person for her sports knowledge, and especially her baseball knowledge, even being interviewed on the radio as the winner of a sports strategy contest. During World War II she volunteered for the USO, which provided social activities and entertainment for those in the armed forces. Helen was known for her wickedly impish sense of humor and once admitted that she and her friends got into trouble for putting extra meat on the sandwiches of good-looking sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Helen and her three sociable sisters would sometimes bring servicemen home to meet their mother Ruth and enjoy Ruth’s famously delicious, melt-in-your-mouth home-baked bread.
Helen worked for the North Shore Railroad for nine years and met her husband Arthur through a mutual friend after attending a Cubs game. Among other things, the devastatingly handsome Arthur and attractive, fun-loving Helen bonded over their love of sports. So much so that, in later years, they would vacation by attending Cubs’ spring training together, which was their idea of a wonderful time.
Arthur became a Chicago police officer and Helen focused on raising their five children. Neighbors would often stop by not only for socializing but to share their struggles, because they knew that, in Helen, they would find a caring friend and sympathetic ear.
One of those neighbors, Ruth Smith Hagen, became a close friend and invited Helen to a Bible study, where the Bible became a beacon of light to Helen’s soul, and she came to know her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a personal way. The power of this transformation would reverberate throughout the lives of her children and other family members, also leading them to faith. Her life reflected the true fruits of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and faith.
She faithfully attended the former Norwood Gospel Chapel and Northwest Bible Chapel in Chicago.
Helen loved all animals, but especially dogs, which explains why a mystery person once abandoned a dog in her backyard with a note, knowing that she would find a way to provide for the dog, who was named Brutus. Other beloved dogs were Barney, Max, Rudolph, Grover, and Bootsie, who once had nine puppies on Christmas morning, all named after Santa’s reindeer.
For many years, her large family would gather for the weekly Friday dinners Helen prepared at the home where she had raised her children.
In 2016, Helen experienced the joy of seeing the Chicago Cubs win the World Series, an event for which she had waited many years. Her prized possessions were a replica Cubs World Series ring and a framed photo of the Chicago Tribune article and photo of Kris Bryant (her personal crush) holding the trophy and celebrating that long-awaited triumph.
Through life’s many ups and downs, she has always provided strength and support for her family and many friends.
As Joelle Lezon, one of her grandchildren wrote, "Her impact on our family cannot be overstated … her influence spanned generations. She was the glue of our family, and her guidance, support, and unconditional love inspired us all to be better versions of ourselves.
"Throughout her life, (Grandma) J showed us the importance of faith, kindness, and generosity. Her sparkling eyes, warm smile, and infectious laughter could light up any room. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved."
She is survived by her daughters Jeanne Johnson, Julie Lezon, and Joanne Wernick (husband Russell Wernick), and her sons Jeffrey Johnson (wife Lisa Johnson) and James Johnson (wife Nancy Johnson), as well as too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to list.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 8, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W Lawrence Ave, Norridge. Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Irving Park Cemetery.
A woman who lived an extraordinary life throughout 98 years slipped into eternity on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Helen L. Johnson (nee Freberg) was the beloved mother of five, grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of 24.
Helen’s life touched many others with her sweet spirit, lovingkindness, deep Christian faith, and devotion to the Chicago Cubs. As a self-described “sports junkie,” her habits included following Cubs’ baseball, and reading the Bible and the Chicago Tribune – but it was the Bible that she continually relied upon for life guidance.
Helen was born March 25, 1926, in Waukegan, Illinois, the youngest of Edward and Ruth Freberg’s four girls, the others being Jean, “Brownie” and Virginia. Helen stood out as a young person for her sports knowledge, and especially her baseball knowledge, even being interviewed on the radio as the winner of a sports strategy contest. During World War II she volunteered for the USO, which provided social activities and entertainment for those in the armed forces. Helen was known for her wickedly impish sense of humor and once admitted that she and her friends got into trouble for putting extra meat on the sandwiches of good-looking sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Helen and her three sociable sisters would sometimes bring servicemen home to meet their mother Ruth and enjoy Ruth’s famously delicious, melt-in-your-mouth home-baked bread.
Helen worked for the North Shore Railroad for nine years and met her husband Arthur through a mutual friend after attending a Cubs game. Among other things, the devastatingly handsome Arthur and attractive, fun-loving Helen bonded over their love of sports. So much so that, in later years, they would vacation by attending Cubs’ spring training together, which was their idea of a wonderful time.
Arthur became a Chicago police officer and Helen focused on raising their five children. Neighbors would often stop by not only for socializing but to share their struggles, because they knew that, in Helen, they would find a caring friend and sympathetic ear.
One of those neighbors, Ruth Smith Hagen, became a close friend and invited Helen to a Bible study, where the Bible became a beacon of light to Helen’s soul, and she came to know her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a personal way. The power of this transformation would reverberate throughout the lives of her children and other family members, also leading them to faith. Her life reflected the true fruits of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and faith.
She faithfully attended the former Norwood Gospel Chapel and Northwest Bible Chapel in Chicago.
Helen loved all animals, but especially dogs, which explains why a mystery person once abandoned a dog in her backyard with a note, knowing that she would find a way to provide for the dog, who was named Brutus. Other beloved dogs were Barney, Max, Rudolph, Grover, and Bootsie, who once had nine puppies on Christmas morning, all named after Santa’s reindeer.
For many years, her large family would gather for the weekly Friday dinners Helen prepared at the home where she had raised her children.
In 2016, Helen experienced the joy of seeing the Chicago Cubs win the World Series, an event for which she had waited many years. Her prized possessions were a replica Cubs World Series ring and a framed photo of the Chicago Tribune article and photo of Kris Bryant (her personal crush) holding the trophy and celebrating that long-awaited triumph.
Through life’s many ups and downs, she has always provided strength and support for her family and many friends.
As Joelle Lezon, one of her grandchildren wrote, "Her impact on our family cannot be overstated … her influence spanned generations. She was the glue of our family, and her guidance, support, and unconditional love inspired us all to be better versions of ourselves.
"Throughout her life, (Grandma) J showed us the importance of faith, kindness, and generosity. Her sparkling eyes, warm smile, and infectious laughter could light up any room. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved."
She is survived by her daughters Jeanne Johnson, Julie Lezon, and Joanne Wernick (husband Russell Wernick), and her sons Jeffrey Johnson (wife Lisa Johnson) and James Johnson (wife Nancy Johnson), as well as too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to list.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 8, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W Lawrence Ave, Norridge. Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Irving Park Cemetery.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Johnson, please visit our flower store.
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