Joan Adele Johnson

Dr. Joan Adele Johnson, 84, died on April 8, 2024, from end stage dementia.  Joan was born in Defiance, Ohio on October 13, 1939 to Earl and Ruth Johnson and grew up in Hastings, Nebraska.  She graduated from Hastings High School in 1957 and went on to Hastings College, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance in 1961.  Immediately following her graduation she was awarded 2 consecutive Fulbright Scholarships to study organ with world renowned composer and organist Flor Peeters in Antwerp, Belgium.  She finished her studies at the Royal Flemish Conservatory in 1963 and returned to Indiana to pursue her Masters in Music at Indiana University, which she finished in 1964.  She began her teaching career at the college level immediately following and was a noted professor of composition, counterpoint, piano and organ at various universities in Maine, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Colorado, California and other locations across the country.  She was well versed in musical theatre as well as classical choral music where her passion was baroque music, especially Johann Sebastian Bach.  Her skill in conducting and bringing excitement to the music was unmatched.  Besides teaching she also was active as a Minister of Music at numerous churches where she conducted the choir as well as played inspiring music for all the weekly services.  One of the more memorable occasions was when then Prince Charles and Camilla visited California in November 2006.  They attended the St. Columbia Episcopal Church in Inverness and she was the organist who played for the entire service.  That was exciting as well as daunting as a performer.

Joan spent much time traveling throughout Europe and even spent 18 months in Tehran.  She spoke numerous languages easily and loved interacting with the local people.   Joan also went on to get her Doctor of Philosophy from The Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio with her dissertation research on performance anxiety and the effects and potential of using biofeedback to control the negative effects of performance anxiety for the performer.

For the last 35 years of her life she lived in Petaluma, CA with her partner of 50 years, Col. Laura J. Bredemeier, Ret.  She and Laura loved their home and their dogs Joey and Rags and spent a lot of time enjoying the local restaurants and sights.  She loved going to the casinos and watching movies from her extensive collection of DVDs and VHS tapes. . . every night was movie night!  She was also a long-time practitioner of meditation as well as Tai Chi, which she felt calmed and centered her fully.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harold and her beloved Laura, who also died from complications due to dementia.  She is survived by nieces Kathy Poynter-Stadie of Omaha, Nebraska, niece Kim Poynter of New Mexico and nephew, Harold Johnson Jr. of New Mexico as well as numerous friends who all loved and cherished her.  Joan was a brilliant musician, an inspiring teacher and conductor and a force to be reckoned with.  She will be sorely missed by everyone.

There will be a Celebration of Life on July 17 at the Petaluma Hotel at 205 Kentucky Street in Petaluma in the Goldman Ballroom.  The gathering is open to all her friends and family and will be from 11 am to 12:30 pm with lunch provided following the service.  Please come and share your stories and memories of Joan.  Following the celebration the ashes and both Joan and Laura will be accompanied to Twin Falls, Idaho for burial with Joan's parents.

Doctor Joan Adele Johnson Celebration of Life from 2U Films on Vimeo .