Anna Sophia Johnson, 95, of rural Wataga, Illinois died peacefully at 12:55 p.m. Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg, Illinois.
Anna was born February 5, 1928 in Galesburg, the daughter of Carl Agustus and Grace Etta (Volk) Johnson. Anna began her education at Military Country School near her home in Wataga. She went on to attend junior high and graduated at the top of her class from Galesburg High School in 1946. She attend MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois for two years and transferred to the University of Iowa graduating with her BFA in design. Anna went on to earn her masters degree from the School of Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois with an emphasis in architecture, interior design, and textile. On June 2, 2002 Anna was awarded an honorary doctorate degree for Humane Letters from Knox College.
Anna worked as an interior designer in her younger years in San Francisco, California and Chicago, Illinois. More than a seamstress, her abilities for designing clothing made her a master tailor. Anna grew weary of the fast paced life of the textile trade and began using her education and skills to teach grade school art in Chicago, a job she loved very much.
Anna married James Libero Prestini on July 11, 1956 at her parent’s home in rural Wataga. She later married Peter Hansel James Rook on March 3, 1971 in South Kensington, London, England. In 1970, Anna reconnected with her high school sweet heart Martin Jay Litvin who became her lifelong companion of over 30 years until his death in 2000.
Anna was an accomplished violinist, beginning playing at 4 years old using the violins her father Carl built for her. As an adult Anna played for numerous years with the Knox College Orchestra and Knox County Symphony. She was a longtime member of the Oneida Presbyterian Church and was a 71 year member of the Knox County Farm Bureau.
Anna spent most of her life protecting the environment, government, and her community. Anna went toe to toe with Midland Coal Company owned by ASARCO by refusing to sell her land halting the expansion of their mining industry. In fact, she went on to subsidize the Citizens for the Preservation of Knox County in its fights against ASARCO. Her unselfish work and effort led to citizen victories in cases heard before the Illinois Supreme Court. Anna went on to protect her and others farm land against a commercial racetrack, woodland buyers, and helped save Pilot Point Elevation from the negative effects of wind farm energy by not granting the energy company right of way on her property. Anna’s efforts to save land expanded beyond Knox County. She participated in an effort led by the Illinois Assistant Attorney General stopping surface coal mining near the village of Banner in Fulton County.
Anna was a member of a two person team that succeeded in the restoration of Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg. She helped influence the choice of location for the new Knox County Jail saving the historical nature of Knox College and the surrounding area. In 2009 Anna led the opposition of the proposed expansion of the Knox County Courthouse which would have damaged Standish Park and Knox College Environs. Her love of community and history continued with the instigation to preserve and refurbishment of the Mother Bickerdyke Memorial Statue on the Court House lawn. Anna also designed and redirected patterns of construction and renewal of the Sparta Township Hall and paid for the complete new roof with her own finances.
Anna is survived by her long time business partner’s children that she considered her family; the children of the late Leo and Shirley Hennenfent. Judy (the late Mike) Hennenfent of Knoxville, Illinois, Peg Hannam of Galesburg, Connie Smith of Gilson, Illinois, Becky Connley of Clinton, Iowa, Mary Kay (Mark) Ebert of Kewanee, Illinois, and Dan (Marcy) Hennenfent of Ottawa, Illinois. Her current business partners, Patrick (Kim) Hennenfent and Robert Hennenfent of Wataga, John (Holly) Hennenfent of Galesburg, and Jeff (Merris) Hennenfent of Dahinda, Illinois. She is also survived by friend, confidant, and long term caregiver Lou Ann Cavanaugh of Monmouth, Illinois. Her closest and dearest friends, Bill Butts of Galesburg; Janis King of Knoxville, Illinois; Gayle Keiser of Galesburg; Paulette Thenhaus of Galesburg; and Richard Stout of Galesburg. Anna is also survived by numerous cousins.
Entertaining friends was always one of Anna’s greatest joys. She wished to do it one more time. A luncheon will be 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Thomas Legacy Center at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg with a short service at 1 p.m. Graveside services will follow at the Oneida Cemetery. Sharing of stories along with dessert will follow the graveside at the Thomas Legacy Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
