Robert Johnson

Robert Wayne Johnson, age 87, of Siren, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2014. Bob was born June 2, 1926 in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, a son of the late Sigwald and Pearl (Randall) Johnson. He attended public schools in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area as well as in Burnett County, WI. Bob served his country in the U.S. Army from February 11, 1946 to February 23, 1949, primarily stationed in Germany. In 1947, while in Europe, he married Kathleen Pritchard, of the British Royal Navy, in Vienna, Austria. They were very proud of the four children they raised. Bob worked for many years as a brick layer, first with Adolf Peterson, in "the cities" and then with Vern Heath in Siren, WI. On June 17, 1977, Bob married Betty Marie Fredlund at Central United Methodist Church in Grantsburg. He was a very resilient man, surviving cancer numerous times and undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, going to auctions, feeding the wild birds, and woodworking. Bob was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10232 Lewis Memorial Post, and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC). John Wayne was a hero to Bob; he collected his posters and watched John Wayne movies every chance he could get. He also loved his dogs: Pancho, Shatzie, and Benny. Bob is survived by his wife, Betty; four children: Vikki (Paul) Fiskewold, Karen Johnson, Bonnie (Roger) Johnson, and Michael Johnson; eight grandchildren: Holly, Rachel, Bridgett, Gretchen, Sara, Kari, Katy, and Brianna; twelve great-grandchildren: Andrew, Robert, Casey, Cody, Ben, Zak, Ethan, Kiley, Grace, George, Lauren, and Claire; sister-in-laws: Dolly Johnson and Cecelia Nelson; his lifelong friend, George Duvall; as well as many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. He is further survived by Betty’s children: Shirley Ann (Dan) Schultz and Jane (Darryl) Hanson; her six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; five great, great-grandchildren; brother, Russell (Cheryl) Fredlund; and sisters: Margie McCarty, Ethel Nelson, and Thora Mae Hostetler; and nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Sigwald and Pearl; brothers, Jerome Johnson and Murray "Bud" Nelson; a sister, Fern Sorenson; and his former wife, Kathleen. The Memorial Service honoring the life of Robert Wayne Johnson will be conducted at 2:00 pm (visitation 1:00 – 2:00 pm), Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Swedberg Taylor Funeral Home, Siren Chapel, with Rev. Steve Ward officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Webster-Siren-Grantsburg, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.