Hazel Mae (Jacobson) Johnson

Hazel Mae (Jacobson), “Jac”, Johnson, of Duluth and Hermantown, passed away peacefully in her home with family present on February 8, 2026, at the age of 93. She was born May 21, 1932, in Duluth, Minnesota to Hazel (West) and Edmund Jacobson.

Hazel was raised and attended schools in Duluth, Minnesota, graduating from Denfeld High School in 1950. She graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in 1953. As a Registered Nurse, she lived and worked in Colorado Springs, Colorado exploring the West before returning to Duluth to work at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Hazel enjoyed telling stories of how she and her future husband, Armand R. Johnson, met roller skating. Together they enjoyed roller skating and ice skating. They married on January 9, 1960, making their home in Cloquet, Minnesota. They quickly expanded their family with “3 children under 3”, as Hazel would describe it.

They built a home and raised their family in Hermantown, Minnesota. Hazel adopted the role of homemaker while Armand worked for Oglebay Norton Company sailing the Great Lakes. A somewhat atypical family lifestyle was enjoyed with annual family trips on the Great Lakes on many different Great Lakes freighters, including the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. Typically, annual vacations to Florida in late winter and time spent at the cabin in Iron River, Wisconsin were enjoyed by all.

Hazel was active in multiple vocal singing groups throughout her life including the Carillon Chorale, Muriel Lindor Singers, American Legion Choir, Superior Singers and several church choirs. She was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church in Hermantown, Minnesota.

Hazel is preceded in death by her husband, Captain Armand R. Johnson with whom she shared 47 years of marriage with before his passing in 2007, her parents and son-in-law, Frank J. Koshere.

She is survived by her son, Keith (Cynde) Johnson, Hermantown; daughters, Karen Koshere, Duluth; and Jana Peterson, Hermantown; grandchildren, Erica Walli (Mathias Lorsung), Duluth; Kristin (Greg) Rian, Duluth; Eric Johnson (Kelly Jorgenson), Minneapolis; great-grandson, Ian; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

There will be a family memorial service held at a future date. Consider gifting memorials to your charity of choice or Salem Lutheran Church, Hermantown, Minnesota.

Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home, 218-624-1059