John F. Johnson
John F. Johnson, 84, of Prairie du Chien, passed away Saturday, Sept 18, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born July 27, 1937, in Bagley to Earl and Henrietta (Franzen) Johnson. John attended Bagley School through the ninth grade. After school, John worked at Wyalusing State Park with his father Earl. He hauled milk for several years before going to work in the asphalt industry. He also worked for many years at Gencor-Bituma, Marquette Manufacturing, and DEI. After leaving the asphalt industry, John worked for Tom Kozelka on the farm. He worked on the farm until the summer of 2020. John was well-known for being able to fix almost anything and operate any piece of equipment you put him in. John was one to always be doing something, from working to cooking; he couldn’t sit still. If he wasn’t fixing something around the house or working outside, you could find him cooking in the house, on the grill or dabbling in cooking on his smoker. He loved to be outside and really enjoyed working on the farm and running equipment. If he did happen to sit still for any amount of time, it was usually to watch Looney Tunes cartoons and old western shows. John leaves behind many friends and family who loved him dearly.
He is survived by his wife, Burnita; children, Sheila (Dean) Lipa, Neal (Nereyda) Johnson, Ryan (Rebecca) Johnson, Jennifer (Paul Jr.) Budde, Charles (Nicole) Gokey, Kellie Gokey-Ronnfeldt (Terry Mullikin), Corey (Mindi) Gokey; siblings Everett (Phyllis) Johnson, Shirley Sedlemayr, and Irene Schauf; and many wonderful, joyful and loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marietta Gilbertson; and two sons, Michael Johnson Sr. and Jay Gokey. Special thanks to the staff of St. Croix Hospice, of Platteville, for providing exceptional, caring and compassionate services.
A Memorial Service will be Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Garrity Funeral Home Chapel in Prairie du Chien, Chaplain Magi Wehner officiating, with burial in the Bagley Cemetery in Bagley. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services.
