Of Elm Grove gave her best to the world and has gone home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 28, 2018, at the age of 92.
Nonie will be missed by many nieces, nephews, other close family and friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Knapp; second husband, Bill Johnson; sisters, Joan and Marge.
She was born in Milwaukee, the daughter of John and Clara Braun. Nonie graduated from Riverside High School, at the age of sixteen she got a work permit and in 1941 began working at Schuster’s; a beloved Milwaukee Department store; as head of the Art Department. She worked there for nine years. Nonie met the man she would marry, her first husband, John Knapp there. In 1950 she became a freelance commercial artist for a galaxy of stores in downtown Milwaukee. Nonie went to Brill Brothers Manufacturing in 1955 and worked as an artist and an account executive. During this time she started at The Community Newspaper, she was very involved in the advertising and illustrations for about twelve years. In 1961 Nonie Owned and operated a printing company, Inter Office Supply; where she printed the annual reports for St. Mary’s Hospital among many other important jobs.
Nonie married William “Bill” Johnson in 1978, she retired and did art work for her own pleasure as they spent many wonderful years together.
She wasn’t done yet, Nonie designed and remodeled the Johnson Building on Elm Grove Road; for which she won the NARI Award for this.
As a Philanthropist she fully funded the Gazebo in Elm Grove Village Park; as a gift to the community, honoring the Police Department; she also donated money to the Police Department for a remodel of their Call Room. She organized a Village of Elm Grove picnic to further support the Police Department and mailed the stick-on shields that said “We Support the Elm Grove Police” to every home.
A visitation will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019, at St. Mary’s Visitation Parish, 1260 Church St. Elm Grove, WI, from 9:00AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Donations can be made in Nonie’s name to the Elm Grove Citizen Police Academy or St. Mary’s Parish School.
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