Elna Dotson

Elna Matilda Sofia Dotson, 86, of Decatur, IL, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Funeral Service will be at 12:00 noon Friday, January 17 at the Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be Friday, January 17 from 10:00am until the time of service at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in West Serena Cemetery.

Born to Oscar and Hedvig (Johansson) Bostrom on July 18, 1933 in Chicago, IL; died January 12, 2020 in Decatur, IL. Survived by husband Robert Dotson; brother Paul (Francine) Bostrom; sister June Bernero; sons Mark (Christine) Johnson, Cliff (Kelli) Johnson, and Jeff (Elizabeth) Johnson; daughters Dorothy (Stephen) Pomykala and Karin Stiegler; stepsons Chris Dotson and Matthew Dotson; “Nani” to grandsons Joshua Stiegler, Glen Stiegler, Ken Stiegler, Eric Johnson and Michael Pomykala (predeceased), and; granddaughters Kristin Pomykala, Jennifer Nieldjelski, Heather Christensen, Elena Johnson and Emma Johnson; and 11 great grandchildren, and; nieces Jackie Bernero, Janine Weber, Joyann Brake, and Janelle Portwood.

Since Elna’s parents were immigrants from Sweden, Swedish was the first language she spoke. She did not learn English until she started school. Elna graduated from Chicago Calumet High School in 1951, married Kenneth Johnson in 1953 and raised 5 children in Chicago, Oak Lawn, and Joliet, IL. She was an accomplished musician, playing jazz and classical piano and serving as a church organist for many years. She had a very strong religious faith throughout her life, and was very active in her high school youth group at Redeemer Covenant Church in Chicago. She has been married to her loving husband Robert Dotson for 28 years.

We remember that she and Bob always remembered our birthdays, which were celebrated with a joyful musical phone call. She was very supportive in cheering on her children and grandchildren in sporting, music, and academic events. She was a life-long learner, taking college classes in various subjects as an adult, and encouraged her children in their education.

After her children were grown, Elna worked at a wide variety of jobs, including as an educator for the American Cancer Society, working at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Mooseheart Child City and School, as an intake counselor for the Martha Washington Hospital Treatment Center helping with the treatment of individuals with alcohol and drug addiction.

In spite of her failing health over the past few years, she and Bob regularly attended family gathering and special events. She will be remembered for her devotion of her faith, her family, and to her Swedish heritage of which she took great pride. A special memory for us was the surprise weekend trip Dorothy, Karin, Jeff, Cliff, and Mark took with her to the historic Swedish Colony in Bishop Hill, IL where we all felt like we were kids again with our Mom. She leaves behind a rich legacy of an interesting and fun-filled life lived on her terms. She will be missed.

Pallbearers will be Mark Johnson, Cliff Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Joshua Stiegler, Glen Stiegler, Ken Stiegler.

Memorials may be directed to American Lung Association at www.lung.org.