About Siggy

Sigrid Marie (Carlson) Johnson was born November 16, 1920 in Superior, Wisconsin and spent her life making her little corner of the world a better place. Sigrid graduated from Superior Teachers’ College and got a job teaching in a small schoolhouse in Solon Springs. When she married her husband, Douglas Johnson, she left her teaching career to have children and care for their aging parents.

Along with caring for her family, Sigrid spent time visiting with her elderly neighbors, attending church at Pilgrim Lutheran, and hosting “club” for her close girlfriends. Sigrid’s musical ability was somewhat limited (as anyone sitting next to her at church could attest to) but her slightly imperfect tone did not deter Sigrid from singing the hymns every Sunday.

As she gracefully aged, she grew a deep appreciation for those who had the musical talent she lacked and offered unwavering support as an audience to anyone who wanted to perform. Sigrid especially enjoyed listening to her favorite local musicians, Similar Dogs. This duo befriended Sigrid at the young age of 93 at her birthday celebration, and, with a little inspiration from Dan Hanger, a local news anchor, coined her the nickname Siggy. Similar Dogs had the honor and joy of celebrating each birthday with Siggy thereafter.

At the age of 97, Siggy’s health had deteriorated and she, unfortunately, could no longer leave her assisted living facility, Cedar Ridge, to hear them perform out. With thoughtful coordination from her loving granddaughter, Cheryl A. Finkbeiner, roubadours Joe Lindzius and Sarah Jane Hale kindly brought their music to her in person. On Similar Dogs’ first visit to Cedar Ridge, Siggy was having a difficult day struggling with her now ongoing pain so Joe and Sarah Jane offered to come and play for her in her private room but Siggy wanted to share their music with all the residents, visiting families, and friends of Cedar Ridge. Putting her own needs aside, Siggy found the strength to get dressed, put on her favorite pink lipstick and was wheelchaired out to the party room where she bravely smiled and persevered to help bring joy to all of the others.

As she fought the inevitable fatigue, Siggy asked for “one more song” and, then, smiling ever so sweetly, made that request three times as Joe and Sarah Jane were finishing their set. Sarah Jane asked if there was a song Siggy wanted to hear, and Siggy mischievously requested “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden”. Joe and Sarah Jane had never played this tune together before, but Sarah Jane knew the song well as it brought back fond memories from her own childhood of singing that song with her grandmother and mother. Similar Dogs was able to fulfill Siggy’s heartfelt wish as she softly sang along to every single word that day. Similar Dogs now sing Rose Garden every time they perform dedicating it to their girl, Siggy.

During her weakening and final days, Similar Dogs, without hesitation, made two more visits to sing for Siggy, now performing tenderly at her bedside. With colorful hummingbirds playing alongside in Siggy’s bay window, Joe and Sarah Jane provided a sense of beauty and peace through their music that was transcending and ethereal. There was only love, laughter and music in the room of Sigrid Marie Johnson till the very end. A well-deserved farewell to a woman who brought so much joy to everyone she met along the way. A woman who did better in her little corner of the world every single day in her simple acts of kindness and in her unwavering sweet smile with those sparkling blue eyes. Sigrid quietly passed away July 1, 2018, at the youthful age of 97.

Although Siggy could not carry a tune and never mastered an instrument, she herself embodied music in every single way. Beautiful, lovely music. A happy melody that everyone hummed after meeting her. A melody never to be forgotten.

With the love and encouragement of her wonderful family, her adoring granddaughter, Cheryl A. Finkbeiner, chose to honor Sigrid Marie Johnson, along with Sarah Jane Hale of Similar Dogs, by humbly founding Siggy’s Musical Garden to help continue to bring the joy of music and art to Siggy’s little corner of the world. This non-profit organization connects music and art to elder care facilities, community programs, and youth in the Twin Ports Area.