Lester Johnson

Obituary – Lester Waldmar Johnson 87 passed away Friday January 10, 2014 at Comforts of Home, Frederic, Wisconsin. Lester was born on April 20, 1926 to Judith and Arthur Johnson and grew up in the Grantsburg and Trade Lake areas. When he was 17 years old, he joined the navy and served on the USS Detroit in the Pacific Theater in WWII. While in service, he was able to travel to parts of the world which included Chile, South America, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Japan. He returned to the Trade Lake area and worked as a milk hauler and butter maker. While hauling milk, he met Ruth Peterson, the love of his life. They were married on May 26, 1951 and four children were born to their union; Leonard, Lynnea, Maurice, and Nylene. Lester enjoyed playing softball in the church league at Falun, Wisconsin in his younger days and his teammates said he was a prolific home run hitter. Lester also enjoyed playing golf, bowling, hiking in the hills of Arizona, and fishing on Trade Lake. Ruth and Lester farmed in Trade Lake Township from 1951 to 1966. They were dairy and hog farmers and also had a flock of chickens. During this time, Lester also worked on the Selander Construction crew building pole barns. The family moved to New Richmond, Wisconsin in 1966. Lester worked at the Do-Boy Feed Mill and continued to crop the home farm in Trade Lake. The family moved back to Trade Lake and resumed dairy farming in 1976 until their retirement in 1985. After retiring, Ruth and Lester enjoyed taking trips to Countryside RV Park in Apache Junction, Arizona and spending summers in Wisconsin at Trade Lake. They traveled to Sweden twice to visit relatives on both Lester’s and Ruth’s side of the family. Lester always said retirement was like going through a second childhood only better. His mischievous side was always able to put a smile on your face as he acted silly and put everyone in a jovial mood. Lester was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Trade Lake where he served as treasurer and sexton for many years. Lester is survived by his two sisters Ardy Jones of St. Paul, MN and Verna Bunnell of Burnsville, MN; his children Leonard (Judy) Johnson, Lynnea, Maurice (Suzy), and Nylene (Kenny) Wicklund; his grandchildren Craig (Keri) Johnson, Lisa Johnson, Sara (Craig) D’Abreo, Meghan (Chris) Dick, Jason (Doni Jo) Johnson, Stina Johnson, Jade Johnson (Clint Mielke), Anders Wicklund, Jay Wicklund, Spencer (Becky) Wicklund; step-grandchildren Eric (Karah) Anderson, and Stephanie (Brad) Seehafer; his great grandchildren MacKenna Johnson, Trenton Johnson, Carter Johnson, Masen Sievers, Braylen Sievers, Cortland Johnson, Graci Johnson, Gretchen Johnson , Baby Wicklund arriving soon and step great grandchildren Norah Anderson, Annah Anderson and Deanah Anderson. Lester was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, father Arthur, mother Judith and brother Sherman. We extend a special thank you to all the health care workers at Comforts of Home who became his extended family during his stay there. Also a special thanks to Jan and Suzie from Regional Hospice who cared for Lester’s needs during his final days. The memorial service will be at Zion Lutheran Church of Trade Lake on January 16, 2014 at 11 am (visitation 10-11AM). There will be a visitation at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg Chapel on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 from 5-7 pm. Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Homes, Grantsburg were entrusted with the arrangements.