Nancy F. Johnson

Nancy F. Johnson ,74, Wichita, Kansas died June 27, 2026, after a brief illness. Born September 2, 1951, in New Rockford, ND she was the sixth of eight children born to James O. Flaagan and Jeanette K. Flaagan. She grew up in several small North Dakota towns culminating in a move to Grand Forks with her parents after high school. She attended the University of North Dakota becoming the president the Delta Delta Delta Sorority and graduated in 1973 with a degree in Journalism. After seeking fame and fortune in Colorado, she returned to Grand Forks and worked at the Lobby and Loft where she met her future husband, Doug Johnson. Within months she was offered a job in Minneapolis, and Doug followed shortly thereafter.  Doug ultimately moved to Austin, Texas. Instead of maintaining a long-distance romance, they decided to marry and did so on an extremely really cold night in Grand Forks, ND on December 27, 1976, leaving them to ponder the question of “what were we thinking of getting married in the middle of winter in ND” for the next forty-nine ½ years.

While living in Austin, Nancy worked for the Texas Apartment Association as editor of their monthly magazine and as their events coordinator. Subsequently, she was hired as the first executive director of the newly formed Texas Renewable Energies Association before moving to Wichita, KS. Shortly after the move, she became the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Wichita Airport Authority and held a similar position with Rent-A-Center. Her final employment was becoming the first woman Executive Director for the American Bonanza Society, an organization for the owners of Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron airplanes. Even though being married to a pilot, she was quick to admit that her knowledge of aircraft was that the pointy end mostly went forward. Her organizational and leadership skills were much more important to the position. She held this position for 13 years, retiring in January 2010. During her working years, she and Doug traveled quite a bit, often extending business trips into mini-4-day getaways. She especially enjoyed meeting friends from Philadelphia each year in January at different locations around the country to celebrate respective wedding anniversaries.

After retirement she was faced with a growing list of health issues resulting from being diabetic since the age of 10. She handled these setbacks with strength, resilience and aplomb adjusting her lifestyle as necessary. She became a voracious reader of Victorian romance novels and was quite fond of dining out. So much so that when invitations were received from friends Doug just accepted instead of asking her.

She is survived by her husband Doug, siblings Carrie Sylvester, John Flaagan (Yvonne), Connie Anderson (Jerry), James Flaagan, Forrest Flaagan (Marilyn) and Kent Flaagan, numerous nieces and nephews, their children and a wealth of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Janice Flaagan, sister-in-law Carolyn Flaagan (James), and brother-in-law Jim Sylvester.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Sandcrest Community Clubhouse located at 2799 N. Curtis Court, Wichita, Kansas.

Any memorials in Nancy’s name can be sent to the American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116, the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67219 or charity of your choosing.

Arrangements through Downing & Lahey West Mortuary, Wichita, Kansas.