BonnerSprings.com

Editor’s note: Prior to Nancy Johnson’s death, Chieftain reporter Nicole Kelley sat down with the Bonner Springs Senior Center director to talk about her recent diagnosis of brain cancer. The article couldn’t be printed before Johnson’s death, but her words live on in this story.

Two weeks ago Nancy Johnson proudly showed off her new engagement ring given to her by her partner of six years, Bart Betzen.

Johnson may have just finished her fight with lung cancer and recently embarked on another battle with brain cancer, but that wasn’t where she wanted her focus to be.

“The whole thing is, you can sit and wait for something to happen,” Johnson said, “or you can live each day how you want, and I choose that.”

Living for the day, “not the end of the road,” was exactly what the Bonner Springs Senior Center director did right up until her last days.

Johnson died Saturday, March 6, when a blood vessel in her brain ruptured. She was taken to Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Merriam, where she was surrounded by family during her last moments.

Johnson’s journey started when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in February 2009. As a non-smoker, the diagnosis came as a shock, but like everything, Johnson attacked the problem with grace and an optimistic attitude.

She finished chemotherapy in July 2009 and was waiting for her 6-month check-up for a clean bill of health.

In the meantime, Betzen said he and Johnson decided to get married and picked out an engagement ring.

Betzen said Johnson didn’t want to get married until she was cancer-free, and at her 6-month check-up, that wish came true.

“I felt very positive, very hopeful,” Johnson said about beating lung cancer. “I was back on track. It was just a bump in the road.”

On the car ride home from that check-up, Betzen presented Johnson with the ring.

But the couple’s relief lasted only a short time.

After being declared cancer-free for one week, Johnson was diagnosed with brain cancer. Her struggle would continue another month as she underwent radiation treatment.

“I was really proud of the resolve she had,” Betzen said following Johnson’s death. “Her friends who’ve known her for 25 years said this was the happiest they’ve ever seen her.”

Johnson kept busy with her many Bonner Springs ties. In addition to such tasks at the senior center as organizing the annual community spaghetti dinner and starting a scholarship fund for Bonner Springs youths, Johnson was part of the Bonner Springs Convention and Tourism Committee and a Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce board member.

“You choose your path,” Johnson said. “You can be positive, or you can choose to be negative and angry. Life is too short to spend your time being angry. I’m no martyr. I just want to live each day. ”

It’s this attitude that Betzen said he would miss the most. As someone who was always positive, Johnson made an impact on so many lives, Betzen said.

“She never knew anyone that wasn’t a friend,” Betzen said. “She knew everybody by name, knew their kid’s name. Everybody was like family to her.”

Betzen said Johnson’s own family, which includes three grown children — Matthew, Mitchell and Jennifer — and one grandson, were coping with the loss of their mother the best way they could.

“They have a strong family,” Betzen said. “Nancy was an excellent mother. You can’t have kids that love their mother more than they did. When you love somebody that much, it’s hard to give up.”

Before her death, Nancy was helping son, Matthew, plan his upcoming destination wedding on a beach in May. While she won’t physically be present at the wedding, Betzen said her sandals would be placed at the bottom of her empty chair.

When it comes to his own wedding, Betzen is finding himself looking back through the time he had with Johnson.

“I learned from her how important it is to make someone feel special,” Betzen said. “Making someone feel special is more rewarding than feeling special yourself. We had a really good relationship because of that.”

For the last six years, Betzen has been buying Johnson a single rose on the 18th of every month, the date of their first date. Johnson saved all the dried rose petals and was hoping to incorporate them into her wedding. Now the petals remain as a reminder to Betzen of each happy moment he spent with his love.

A few days ago, Betzen returned to the flower shop where he purchased each rose. He told the worker he wanted one last rose.

“Nancy was my flower,” he said.

A celebration of life has been planned from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Lake of the Forest Clubhouse. A special tribute by the Rev. John Walker will take place at 3 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Senior Center Scholarship Program.

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