Eloise Lancaster Johansen

Macon- Eloise Lancaster Johansen, 86, quietly succumbed to cancer with amazing grace and acceptance on her birthday. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and in view of her beautiful garden. Eloise was born near Wilmington, NC to Edith and Hoyd Lancaster. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Meredith College in 1948, and her Master's Degree in Plant Genetics from N.C. State in 1953. She met Ragnar William Johansen (Bill) during that period, and they married June 18, 1951. They raised five children, and she continued her love affair with organic gardening and other creative outlets. In 1968, Eloise began quilting and was a charter member of the Heart of Georgia Quilt Guild. She created over 100 quilts through the years, one of which hung in the State Capitol of Georgia for a period of time. In addition to her gardening and her quilting, she raised milk goats for many years, providing goat milk to local children with allergies. Eloise loved her daily crossword puzzle and the challenge of an intricate quilt pattern. She and Bill delivered Meals on Wheels, and she often donated produce from her own garden. She played bridge with the same group of ladies for over 30 years. Eloise is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mildred Martin. She is survived by her loving husband Bill, her children Rolf(Kerry) Johansen of Charlotte, NC; Karen Johansen Evans of Brunswick, GA; Lisa Johansen (Stephen "Bud") Morris of Virginia Beach, VA; Ellen Roberta Johansen of Salt Lake City, UT, and Tina Johansen (Ray) McCausland of O'Fallon, IL. Her presence will be greatly missed by her ten grandchildren, her sister Joyce (Alan) Zimmerman of Purchase, NY, brother Thelton (Gloria) Lancaster of Wilmington, NC; brother-in-law Robert (Beth) Johansen, sister-in-law Elaine Johansen (Arthur) Mange, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 2 pm at the Howard Community Club in Macon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.