Rosella M. Johnson

Rosella “Sal” Mae Johnson, age 91, of Ridgeland, WI died Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Pioneer Health & Rehabilitation in Prairie Farm. She was born on May 29, 1926 to Peter and Emma (Holten) Peterson of Sheridan Township in Dunn County, Wisconsin. She was baptized and confirmed at West Akers Church. She attended grade school at Forest Grove Country School. At the age of 9, Rosella started to do housework for various people. When she was 16, she was a caregiver for her newborn twin nieces, Marlene and Marlys Westlund. She married DeWayne Virgil Johnson on September 15, 1945 in Killeen, Texas, where DeWayne was stationed in the Army. Rosella and DeWayne lived and farmed in Prairie Farm from 1945-1977. In 1946, Rosella gave birth to Judith Mae and seven years later in 1953, Bradley Wayne was born. In 1977, Rosella and Virgil left farming and moved to Ridgeland where they successfully owned and operated Dutchman’s Bar until they retired in 1993. Rosie (nickname given by her uncle Clarence Holten) was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, baking and spending time with her family and friends. She liked it when people would stop in because the coffee pot was usually on and there was always a delicious baked good ready to be served. Often, Rosie happily prepared and donated baked goods for community and church events. She was a dedicated member of the United Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm and Hope Circle since 1945.

Rosella was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 53 years: DeWayne Virgil Johnson on January 7, 1998, siblings: Art, Wesley, Gerhard, Howard, Evelyn, Olga, and Elaine (Dolly), great grandson: Alex Lehman and great great (infant) granddaughter: Madelyn Johnson. She is survived by her special friend of 13 years: Lloyd Mickelson, two children: Judy Lehman and Bradley Johnson (Jude English), grandchildren: Allen Lehman, Renee (DuWayne) Behnke, Joe (Kristin) Lehman, Nathan (Nikki) Johnson, Arron (Yuko) Johnson, Dana Johnson, and Mathew (Brenda) Johnson, great grandchildren: Austin (Sarah) Lehman, Cooper, Emma, and Maggie Behnke, Kiley and Parker Lehman, Tanner Kahl, Hailey, Addison, and Danika Johnson, Arron Johnson, Oliver Johnson, Maih, Mallory, Aiden, Ryan, Matthew and Lillian Johnson, great great grandson: Keith Lehman, three sisters: Verla Hrdlichka, Lotus Nevin, and Mary Lou Anderson, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.

Funeral services will be (were) held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 20 at United Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm with Rev. Erin Koster officiating and interment following in the Evergreen Cemetery at Prairie Farm. Visitation will be (was) held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Dallas & Cameron.

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