Ann Carolyn Isely, nurse and DeForest volunteer
Ann Carolyn (Johnson) Isely died June 9, 2026.
Ann Carolyn (Johnson) Isely died June 9, 2026. Born August 29, 1940, in a farming family near Argyle, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of James and Frances Johnson and grew up among five children in a Norwegian-American household.
A career in nursing
Isely attended Mud Branch School and graduated as valedictorian in 1958. After receiving a scholarship to Methodist Hospital Nursing School, she trained as a nurse and began a career in 1961. Her work included hospital care, foot care and orthopedics at Jackson Clinic in Madison, and family practice at UW Health in DeForest. She also helped friends and neighbors and volunteered in nursing roles at camps, church programs and school outings.
Family, creative work and service
On June 24, 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Erling Isely. Together they raised five daughters. She supported their school, sports, music, scouting and 4-H activities while tending gardens, sewing and cooking.
Isely pursued many crafts, including stained glass, needlepoint, candles, macramé, rosemaling, flower arranging and quilting. She was active at Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville, Morrisonville Evangelical Lutheran and Christ Lutheran in DeForest. She also volunteered at the Senior Center and belonged to the DeForest Lions Club.
She and Erling delivered donated corneas around Wisconsin and took part in more than 20 international eyeglass missions in Mexico and Central America.
Survivors
Her family includes daughters Karen (Tim Sanderson), Karla (Mark) Newman, Kathy (Scott) Cooper, Kristin (Brett) Whyte and Karel (Doug Grennan); 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The obituary also lists siblings Nancy (Roger) Adler, Ellen Kay Kummer, David Johnson and Denny (Geri) Johnson, Erling's extended family, and 33 nieces and nephews with their families.
Her husband, parents, several in-laws and other relatives preceded her in death. The family thanked Vista West–Blu Grotto caregivers and activity staff.
Funeral
A service was scheduled for June 18 at 11 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 220 S. Main St., DeForest, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. Private burial was planned for later at Apple Grove Lutheran Church in Argyle. Memorials were suggested for the Wisconsin Lions Foundation or Families Working Together. Ryan Funeral Home handled arrangements.
