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Obituary for Gerald L. Johnson
Gerald (Jerry) Leland Johnson, age 79, of Grantsburg, WI, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Continuing Care Center in Grantsburg, WI after battling Parkinson's disease.
He was born on April 3, 1937 to Oscar and Gertrude Johnson in Grantsburg, WI. He grew up in Clam Falls, WI and attended Maple Valley School and graduated from Frederic High School in 1955. He worked in construction after graduation for a few years before returning to the Grantsburg area. On February 13, 1965 he married Elsie Christenson and together they raised their daughter, Pam. He worked at McNally Industries for over 40 years and retired in 1999.
In addition to his job at McNally's, he kept busy farming and maintaining the farm equipment and his treasured tractors. He also loved snowmobiling. He spent the winters riding and maintaining the snowmobile trails plus he taught the Snowmobile Safety Course to the area youth for 25 years.
He was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and he was proud to be a member of the Indianhead Barbershop Chorus singing bass. He had a goal of being a member for 50 years, and in November, 2015 the Barbershop Harmony Society honored him with his 50 year certificate and pin.
Gerald was a charter member of the Grantsburg Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated humanitarian services. He also was an active member of Grantsburg Bethany Lutheran Church and the church choir, served several years on the Anderson Town Board, worked for the Grantsburg Schools campus as a grounds keeper, enjoyed golfing on the men's league, fishing, camping and traveling in the motor home.
Gerald is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Elsie; daughter, Pam (Keith) Gaspar of Crystal, MN; grandson, Travis Gaspar; sister, Alma Karels; brother, Lynn; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Gertrude Johnson and his baby brother, Leland.
Memorial services will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church - Branstad, 22384 State Road 48/87, Grantsburg on Monday, January 23, 2017 - visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jay Ticknor officiating.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic (715-327-4475) and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, www.wicremationcenter.com (715-825-5550).
