Jerry Johnson

Jerald M. Jerry Johnson, age 80, of Bloomington, died on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster. He was born on March 6, 1931, in  Ferryville, the son of Monroe and Elsie (Haven) Johnson. Jerry graduated from  Gays Mills High School in 1949. He worked as a farm hand before attending  Iowa State University. Jerry then moved out west and worked as a ranch hand before he joined the United Sates Marine Corp. and served his country during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge, he graduated from the  University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse with his bachelors degree. Jerry was united in marriage to Violet Meyers on September 1, 1956. After his marriage, he attended the  University of Wisconsin at Madison   where he earned a masters degree in Geography. Jerry also obtained a masters degree in Guidance from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. He taught in the Wauzeka school system for four years, before moving to Bloomington where he was a teacher until his retirement in 1987. Jerry was a member of St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington and served on the original parish council. He was also a member of the Abraham Hickok Wetmore American Legion Post No. 148 of Bloomington and served as St. Marys Cemetery and Bloomington Cemetery caretaker for several years. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and gardening, especially roses.

Survivors include his wife, Violet Johnson, Bloomington; their children: Dan (Nilda) Johnson,  Gainesville, FL; Mike (Cheryl) Johnson, Cedar Rapids, IA; Michelle (Roger Given) Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO; Mark (Katrina) Johnson, Edgerton; seven grandchildren; his brother and sisters: Harriet Johnson, Lancaster; Marian Johnson, Gays Mills; Joan (Al) Steffes, West Bend; Betty Johnson, Soldiers Grove; John Johnson, Gays Mills; and Jean Ritter, Florence, CO; other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, Jerald was preceded in death by a son, Terry Johnson in 2004, and his brothers, James and Judd Johnson.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial with military honors was in St. Marys Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends called on Friday, December 2, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Marys Church in Bloomington and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington is assisting the family.