Betty Jane Johnson was born to Arthur R. and Esther (Mittag) Jaeger in Watertown, Wisconsin on
March 8, 1928. Her mother always told her that it was one of the worst March snow storms she
had ever seen and that her dad had to walk to and from the hospital because the streets were
impassable. She died September 3, 2014 after a short illness following surgery.
Betty grew up with a strong Christian faith and she was a member of Wisconsin Synod Lutheran
churches throughout her life. During her childhood, she was nurtured in the faith by the pastors and
Sunday School teachers at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. It was also at St. Mark’s where
on October 6, 1956 she married her lifelong companion, partner and friend - Donald Johnson.
Betty was also a highly intelligent and well-educated woman who embraced every educational
opportunity that became available to her. She graduated as the Valedictorian of her class at
Watertown Public High School in Spring 1945. She then worked to save money to continue her
education and received her nursing diploma from the Milwaukee School of Nursing in 1956. During
her time at Milwaukee, both before and after graduation, she worked as a nurse in the psychiatric
wards of Milwaukee General Hospital.
When Don graduated from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and received his first call, the couple
moved to rural Berlin. There, they served the congregations of St. Paul’s - Berlin (Town of Seneca)
and Trinity - Redgranite from 1958 to 1999. During this time, Betty lovingly raised her family and
served Trinity as organist, and both parishes as choir director and in active membership in the Ladies’
Aid Societies. She also worked fulltime as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Berlin Community Hospital
(1958-1968), industrial RN at Speed Queen in Ripon (1968-1970) and the Director of the Green Lake
County Public Health and Home Health Nursing Departments (1970-1993). She also went back to
school and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health at UW-Oshkosh in 1980. Betty
also was proud of her licensure as a Wisconsin Real Estate Broker, a public health inspector and a
humane officer.
Betty was always active in her community. In addition to all her labors at St. Paul’s and Trinity
churches, she volunteered at the Wautoma Public Library and the Tri-County Animal Shelter for
several years during her retirement.
Betty loved knitting for family and charitable causes and seemingly always had some knitting project
with her wherever she was. She also loved to travel, both on car trips with Don as well as on her
four trips to Europe with friends. Betty also enjoyed cooking for her family, walking with her beloved
pets, reading and just spending time with all her family around her - talking, playing cards and board
games, attending plays, operas and musicals, and even shopping.
Betty is survived by her beloved husband, Don; her daughter, Jane Kohlwey (Joel) of Rio, Wisconsin;
her son, Dr. Peter Johnson (Cathy) of Green Bay, Wisconsin; granddaughters Rachel Larson (Aaron)
of Columbus, Wisconsin; Dr. Liz O’Connor (John) of Appleton, Wisconsin; and Caitie Kohlwey
and Emily Kohlwey of Rio, Wisconsin; grandson, Sam Johnson of Chicago, Illinois; and her great-
grandchildren, Nora, Max and Levi Larson and Ella O’Connor. She is further survived by her brother-
in-law, Bill Connor and niece, Mary Petrie (Tom), all of Watertown, Wisconsin as well as other
relatives. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her newborn daughter, Ann Marie; and her
sister, Mary Connor.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in
Redgranite, the Rev. Roger Riedel officiating. Friends and relatives may call on Saturday, September
6 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin and from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
on Sunday at the church. A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent to the
family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.
In times like these you need a Saviour
In times like these you need an anchor.
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Be very sure, Be very sure
This Rock is Jesus,
Yes, He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus - The only One.
In times like these you need the Bible,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these, I have an anchor;
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these, oh, be not idle;
Be very sure, Be very sure
This Rock is Jesus,
Yes, He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus - The only One.
In times like these I have a Saviour,
I’m very sure, I’m very sure
This Rock is Jesus,
Yes, He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus - The only One.