Harold and Nina Johnson

ESCANABA — Harold and Nina (Peterson) Johnson of Escanaba celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The couple were wed Sept. 13, 1947 at First Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich.

Original attendants at the ceremony were Edith (Johnson) Cryderman, Maid of Honor, sister of the groom and William Peterson, Best Man, brother of the bride.

They spent their 25th wedding anniversary in Scandinavia visiting relatives on both sides.

Harold was a teacher, coach and principal at Escanaba High School for 30 years. He retired in 1986. Harold is involved with Bethany Lutheran Church, Kiwanis, Swedish and Vasa Clubs. He also enjoyed bowling, golf, wood-working, oil painting and building their cottage at Round Lake. He is a proud World War ll Veteran (Europe). In 1991 he was elected to the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame. He is still playing golf at 93.

His wife, Nina, was a court reporter for Michigan Workman’s Compensation Commission and Delta County Circuit Court for over 25 years and also retired in 1986. Nina is involved with Bethany Lutheran Church, Morning Dove Church Circle, PEO and a member of the same bridge club for 60 years. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and bringing rice pudding for years to the sick and bereaved, as well as for happy occasions. She loved flying and went to England twice, as well as France, China, and Scandinavia.

After building the cottage, Nina was known as the “Eagle Lady of Round Lake.” She became the official reporter to the National Eagle Conservancy on activities surrounding the the eagle’s nest in a huge pine near their property. When officials flew up from Madison, Wis., each spring to count the eggs in the eagles’ nests in the Eastern U.P. they sometimes took Nina along on their survey flight. After years of close watching, the wind blew the nest down and the eagles moved to another lake — but they still see them.

After retiring, they went south for part of the winter for 25 years. Harold and Nina belonged to a group of 12 couples who called themselves the “Eskinoers.” They canoed in summer and cross country skied in the winter, meeting once a month for 20 years, driving as far as Kentucky to their varied destinations.

In August, Nina fell and broke her hip and was in rehab so they just had a small reception at their son Jay’s home in Marquette with immediate family and some relatives. They are hoping to have a big one at their 75th!

Their children are Jay Johnson of Marquette, who is a retired Research Scientist. Daughter Terri (Landon) Parker of Woodland Park, Colo. is an accountant and professional vocalist. Their grandson Chase Parker is a senior at Kansas State University, majoring in commercial aviation.

They thank the Lord for a wonderful life and incredible families and friends. They have been truly blessed.