Rev. Donald F. Johnson
Rev. Donald F. Johnson died peacefully and unexpectedly, with grace and dignity, of a heart attack at his home overlooking his farm in rural Redgranite on October 24, 2015. Don was born in a one-room house in Viroqua, Wisconsin on July 17, 1931, the first child of Bernard and Alvia (Valum) Johnson. He was a life-long learner. He graduated from Solomon Juneau High School in Milwaukee in 1947. He continued his education by obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin in 1954; his Doctor of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin in 1958; and then his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. He also was licensed for many years as a Wisconsin real estate broker and certified soil tester.
Don married the love of his life, Betty Jane Jaeger, on October 6, 1956 in Watertown. Don and Betty partnered in construction, farms, rentals and religion. Betty preceded him in death on September 3, 2014. Their second daughter, Ann Marie, died at birth January 22, 1959.
Don was a faithful servant to his church, family and community throughout his life. Don worked his way through his years at college and seminary doing masonry work as well as a part-time cab driver in Milwaukee. He was called upon graduation from the seminary to serve as minister at St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Berlin (Fairburn) and Trinity Lutheran Church in Redgranite. He then used his construction skills as a carpenter, mason and general contractor, supervising the building of the new church at Trinity, hand splitting and laying much of the fieldstone himself, as well as the addition of a full basement at St. Paul’s. He built over 30 homes, as well as performed innumerable remodeling projects through the years.
Don and Betty were actively involved in farming. They began by purchasing 33 acres of abandoned farmland across from the Fairburn church. Always the conservationists, they raised corn on this land for many years, then planted the entire farm in pine trees. They continued to expand their farms, ultimately owning the 400 acre parcel where he and Betty built their dream home, again with lots of fieldstone from the surrounding fields, split and laid by Don. The home is a place of beauty and serenity, overlooking much of the farm, and a pond created by David Petraszak. In addition, they bought and “brought back to nature” the former Harry and Theresa Chappa dairy farm, planting over 30,000 trees, preserving the wetlands and restoring prairies.
After forty years serving as a Lutheran minister, Don “retired.” Retirement was not rest time for Don, however. He and Betty continued to buy and refurbish numerous houses in the Green Lake and Waushara County areas, either reselling them or renting them. They also built and managed several subsidized elderly housing and low-income housing apartment buildings. Don continued his carpentry and rental management work throughout his retirement years. Don and Betty prided themselves on offering housing for hundreds of people over a fifty-year period.
Don served his community as a member of the Berlin Hospital Board during a major building project, a member of the Berlin Rotary Club for many years, Redgranite Civic Center vice-president for 40 years and then several years as president, and many years as a 4-H leader in woodworking. Don loved the outdoors. He talked fondly of fishing and hunting during his youth in rural Vernon County and even in Milwaukee County before the outlying areas became developed. He and Betty loved to tell the story of their “exploded” lures. They had put their portable grill back into the car trunk after a Brewers game. Ever the frugal couple, they hadn’t thrown out the half-used charcoal, just doused it well with water. Down the road, they noticed the trunk was smoking – a small fire had started and their lures had expanded or melted in the heat! They kept using those lures for years. Don and Betty also loved to go on day-long road trips – many times with no particular destination in mind, just enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful Wisconsin scenery. Don also hunted deer, pheasant, rabbit, and squirrel. But he was just as happy simply walking through the woods or marsh.
Don is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Joel Kohlwey; son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Peter and Cathy Johnson; grandchildren, Rachel (Aaron) Larson, Dr. Elizabeth (John) O’Connor, Caitlin (Abel) Langsdorf, Emily Kohlwey and Samuel Johnson; great-grandchildren, Nora, Max & Levi Larson and Eleanor O’Connor; sisters, Barbara (Neil) Thompson and Fay (Dale) Billeb; brothers, Paul (Lois) Johnson and Fred (Sandy) Johnson; as well as several nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held at Barbola Funeral Chapel, 282 E. Marquette St., Berlin, on Friday, October 30 from 4-7 p.m. with a short prayer service at 7 pm. His Christian funeral service will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 330 Foster Road, Redgranite, on Saturday, October 31 at 11 a.m. followed by lunch and time for reminiscing. Visitation will also be held at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Don preferred to be with Betty and his ashes will be comingled with Betty’s on their favorite spot at their farm. The family has established a memorial fund in lieu of flowers. Private online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.