Crystal J. Johnson
Crystal Jean (Swenson) Johnson, 48, of Bangor, passed away due to cardiac arrest, June 2, 2026, at Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse.
Crystal was born October 14, 1977, in Black River Falls, to Carl and Jean (Casper) Swenson.
She was baptized and confirmed at South Beaver Creek Lutheran Church in Ettrick. Crystal graduated from G-E-T High School in 1996, and went on to graduate from Air Force training in Texas in May, 1997. She was then stationed in Minot, ND, until 2003, where she met and married Michael Price. They had two daughters together: Amber and Taylor. They later moved to North Carolina. Michael and Crystal later divorced.
Crystal relocated back to the Wisconsin-Minnesota area and married Brandon Johnson. They later divorced.
She grew up on the family dairy farm in rural Ettrick and enjoyed feeding and taking care of the cows, calves and especially the cats. She grew up next to her grandparents and often “ran away” to their house, which was 100 yards away. She was known to “borrow” cookies from Grandma and Grandpa. Crystal enjoyed martial arts, junior league bowling, Girl Scouts and Luther League. In high school, she was active in cross-country and track.
Crystal was an avid outdoor enthusiast and loved being in nature and riding motorcycles. She loved fishing and hunting, especially when she spotted the trophy buck for her dad in the blizzard of 1991. The owl was Crystal’s spirit animal and her most recent quote was: “If you listen to an owl, see what it has to say; always waiting, watching and listening.”
Crystal is survived by her parents, Carl and Jean Swenson; brother, Jeremy (Amanda) Swenson; twin brother, Craig (Stacy Mrozek) Swenson; daughters: Amber (Adrian Pineiro) Price and Taylor (Taegon) Reil; partner, Howard Niedfeldt; and many uncles, aunts, nieces, a nephew and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Iola and Chester Casper; her paternal grandparents, Raymond (Buddy) and Marcella (Marcy) Swenson; and her aunt and uncle, Brenda and Terry (Bloop) Nordstrom.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Emplify Health by Gundersen for the unwavering support and care provided to Crystal by the chaplains, ICU staff, and hospice staff. A special thank you to Pastor John Ashland for his many visits, prayers, and comfort to the family. Thank you to all of the family members and friends who came to visit and offer support during this difficult time.
A service will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026, at at 11:00 a.m., at South Beaver Creek Lutheran Church in Ettrick. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until the time of service. Burial will take place at the church cemetery with a luncheon to follow. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family with arrangements.
