Thinking of you especially today Ann. Your spirit and vibrancy is so memorable and alive in the world today and all days. You are missed!

You are deeply missed.

Thinking of you on your birthday. 

Ann - still makes me sad that you were taken too soon. God must have wanted to bring another angel home. I miss your optimism, infectious smile and sweetness. You always lit up the room and warmed the hearts of everyone.

You will be in my heart forever. 

Dear Ann,
Just want to let you know you are missed dearly. I have a good news that I think you will be pleased. Community Dental Care is going to celebrate an open house at our new site in Rochester with 18 chairs this October 20. I thank you for your inspiration to always be mindful to serve the underserved. In Heaven, you already know that Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation has been a huge supporter of this expansion and in increasing dental care to many underserved families in Southeastern Minnesota. I am so grateful and feel honored to know you. Your legacy of love, inspiration, and caring lives on.
Thinking of you today and Happy Birthday!

In the time that I've known Ann, she showed me kindness and fairness, treated me and Community Dental Care with dignity and compassion. She listened to the voices of those in need and those that are hurting and with that offered wise recommendations and help. She is someone who left a legacy behind that shall be forever remembered.

It doesn't feel to me like it has been 3 years since Ann's passing...I feel her presence strongly. Ann continues to influence my life and work in important ways. She is absent but absolutely not forgotten, and I am grateful for her ongoing impact!

When I woke up today I did not remember that it has been 2 years since Ann's passing; nevertheless I was thinking of her as soon as my day started. As I dressed I remembered her complimenting the pants I put on...often in my conversations with Ann we would talk about mundane things like this, but within 10 minutes would be onto a topic worthy of a PhD dissertation. This is what I love and miss about Ann: the combination of her accessibility and depth as a human. She was the best of a "girlfriend girl" and a soulful companion! I think often of her and her beloved family.

Ann, the foot print you have left us is remarkable! When the word Delta Dental comes into my head I think of you, and vice versa. When I think of you I feel the presence of loving kindness, justice, care and compassion for everyone especially the underserved. Thank you so much for such an eternal inspiration.

I miss Ann!! I think about her every day. Her
impact remains strong among her friends and colleagues.

You touched many people!
You inspired many people!
You raised up the spirits and level of life & discourse of everyone near you!
You were a huge supporter of Parks & Trails! Your spirit lives on!
You were the greatest!

I was blessed to get to know Ann over the past 9 years through her philanthropy work at Delta Dental of Minnesota. She was always kind, professional and thoughtful in her work. Everyone at Homeward Bound sends their thoughts and prayers to Ann's family.

I worked with Ann in the AG office in the mid-90s, and all too infrequently lunched with her after that. I have one group of friends for thought-provoking discussion, and another that for laughter. Ann brought both. That Lao Tzo quote was written for the Anns of the world in mind: “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” Peace and comfortto Ann's family and friends.

We are very saddened to learn of Ann's passing. She was an outstanding student in the Augsburg College Master of Arts in Leadership program is remembered with fondness and much respect from the staff and her fellow students. She accomplished many important things in her life and her legacy is substantial.

I wish you peace in the loss of your daugher, sister, friend, and mother (to her dog). It was clear Ann was a good person. She treated everyone so well, frequently smiling and laughing at the office. She was obviously a caring person, who had a passion for helping others. It was obvious when she talked about the oral health services the Foundation was helping to fund she loved her job.

Sue, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Ann and I met through her philanthropic work with Delta Dental but she quickly became a trusted ally and friend. She was upbeat and excited about her work and life. In my work with Head Start, the community considered Ann our own Santa Claus because the Foundation often provided toothbrushes and toothpaste for Head Start around the holidays. Ann will be remembered and missed.

Ann you are simply a beautiful being of light! 
Your commitment to the health and care of this planet and the people you loved and served will never be forgotten.
Thank you for sharing your loving spirit and beautiful smile with us. You will forever be soaring through those beautiful mountains having the time of your life. I love you. Mary

Annebell - you brought light, laughter, talent, and so much positive energy to all. You may be gone from our sight and touch, but your spirit will remain always to guide us to better places and better ways.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us.

Ann's heart and soul always embraced helping others. Whether protecting the environment, helping others to enjoy our great outdoors, or helping young people live a better, more healthy live - Ann's life energy embraced those in need.

continue ...

To the Johnson family - Sue and the girls , My heart just hurts
so much for each one of you. I knew Ann when we were in High School even before Sue (Ann's Sister) married my brother Bruce. There were many times and happy family memories that we shared, Family Weddings etc. Ann was a dear and kind person, and will be deeply missed by all.

I am grateful that I had the good fortune to spend some time with Ann just before her death. We had a coalition meeting and I got there first. When she arrived she sat across the room from me. She had a vacant chair next to her and motioned for me to come and sit beside her. I gathered up all my papers, laptop, salad, etc. and moved! That was typical of her. What a joy she was! I miss her.

I have known Ann for the last two years but in may ways it seems like a very long time. She was so engaging and compassionate about everything she did. I and so many people she touched in her short life will miss her. My condolences to her family and co-workers.

Karin and family,
I am so saddened to hear of your dear, dear sister. Please know that God is watching over all of you, as well as Ann. May He wrap His strong arms around you and comfort you. Thinking of you all.

I feel lucky to have known Ann for 20 years. She was an incredibly talented person with a unique and beautiful spirit. Peace and prayers to her family.

Ann was a friend and a classmate at Henry Sibley. We worked together on the yearbook our senior year, and she was the editor. Ann was a great collaborator, adding beauty and order and much fun to the process. She was a hard worker and very thoughtful. The news of her loss has sent waves of sadness throughout our class community. Such a beautiful woman and a strong spirit. Prayers & Love.

Ann’s positive perspective and spirit of collaboration made an important difference in our community. She leaves a deep hole many of us feel.

We lost a great leader who strove for justice and well-being for everyone. We shall miss Ann dearly. May God’s love and compassion embrace Ann’s family and friends during this time of sadness. We shall see you again Ann, in Heaven.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Ann for the past 5 years. Her amazing spirit, beautiful smile and optimism will be missed. I learned of her garden, her dogs and of the amazing people she called friends! I consider Ann a friend that will always be missed. I share this loss with her family and wish them confort in these difficult times.

12 years ago I met Ann and was immediately impressed with her "big picture" thinking; she inspired innovative oral health projects with national impact. From close colleagues we became close friends. Her impact on my life is deep and lasting; I miss her more than I can express. I am heartbroken for her family and community, but ever grateful for her profound spirit of joy and generosity

Ann was a genuine joy to work with! Her commitment and boundless energy was contagious! I had the privilege to work with her on many oral health projects in greater Minnesota. She remembered you even if it had been a long time! I was glad to not only call her a colleague but a friend! I will miss that smile! Deepest sympathy to her family!

Such a tragedy to lose her in her prime! It's great reading about the impact she had. Fortunately, with the great people on the Oral Health Coalition, the work will continue in her absence. There's much to be done. Thanks for setting up this page Sharon.

Ann was an amazing and classy lady. Working with Ann for the last couple years on the Minnesota Oral Health Coalition I always admired her grace and elegance in a professional setting. She was an inspiration and will be missed. Her passion and the wonderful work she accomplished in oral health will ripple for many many years. Prayers go out to Ann's family.

It is hard to fathom that such a good, vital person can just be gone. I was consciously admiring her and her gracious goodness as we worked together in our meeting, just a few weeks ago. The world will indeed be a sorrier place without her. My deepest sympathies to her family, and to us all, in our loss.

Ann was one of those individuals who made the world a better place both for what she did, working for the betterment of society in many ways, but also for the manner in she lived every day; positive, a joy to be with and a force for change. She will be missed by many friends and beneficiaries of her work.

Ann and I met through our shared work in the philanthropic committee. She led with heart and head . . . the perfect balance. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues. Holding them in the light, Erin, Women's Foundation of MN

" a diligent woman of noble character is more precious than rubies"
Proverbs 31:10
I think of Ann as noble, virtuous, capable, and strong but also fun and a bit irreverent. Her precious life made the lives of countless children and poor Minnesotans better. My condolences to you all.

Ann's bright smile and her kind warm presence always filled the room as she worked to make life better for others.

And on a personal note, she was just such a delight to be with! I will always remember and cherish our many happy times talking politics and health policy at WA Frost. But our sessions only lasted so long as she had to get home to her beloved dog Olive. My heart aches for her family.

her lasting legacy ~ Smiles Across Minnesota.  It was the vehicle of Smiles Across Minnesota where she and Greater Twin Cities United Way forever changed the trajectory of oral health trends in Minnesota by greatly improving access to preventive services and revolutionizing the dental profession by the adding Dental Therapists to the team in the United States.

Ann had the passion, the courage of her confiction, and vision to make her role at Delta Dental uniquely impactful. She had the foresight to bring early-noticed dental trends into the funding priorities at Delta. For example, the partnership she formed with Fraser to empower caregivers, the experts she brought to Minnesota to educate the dental team about meth mouth, and of course her lasting le

I have known Ann since the year 2001 when she came to Delta Dental. I was on the Board of Directors at the time and sat on the Philanthropy Committee which she staffed. Starting then and for the next 12 years I would often say to myself “What do other communities do without an Ann Johnson? How do the oral health needs of a community get addressed without an Ann Johnson in their community?”

Ann and I reconnected just under a year ago. We met when she worked at the Attorney General's office. I will always remember her smile and her warmth, She will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to her family, extended family and her many friends.

Over the many many years I've known Ann, I cannot recall a single encounter with her where she didn't laugh at least once. Ann always found a reason to smile, laugh, and bring happiness to those around her. She shared her warmth generously with everyone she encountered. My prayers for peace are with her family. I am so very sorry for your loss.

"When I think of Ann I think of her beautiful smile and her graciousness. She was such a positive force for good in the world through her work and her personality. She touched so many in such a short time. God bless her and her family."

My heart aches with loss and disbelief as I write to honor Ann. Among her many and significant professional contributions was helping build the statewide Minnesota Oral Health Coalition. Her leadership will be part of all coalition activities. Her legacy of supporting organizations' and individuals' efforts will continue to benefit countless Minnesotans far into the future.

Ann's passion for philanthrophy and oral health was contagious! We were good friends. She was so excited for her trip! I will always remember her this way. Excited for life! Excited for travel! Excited for fun! Excited to be outdoors! Excited to be making communities better! Excited to be making a difference in other people's lives! My prayers go out to Ann's family and friends.

I had just met Ann this year because of her long standing work in children's oral health. She cared a lot about our community. My wish for her family is that they know what a difference she made for so many.

I was just getting to know Ann through our small network of healthcare funders. She was fun, smart and engaging. I only hope that she was having the most fantastic vacation ever. She will be missed by many including her professional colleagues. My thoughts and blessings go out to Ann's family.