Gordon D. Johnson

Gordon “Gordy” Duane Johnson, age 81, of Westby, WI, passed away peacefully with family by his side on March 5, 2024. He was born October 27, 1942, to Ervin and Leonora Johnson on the family farm in Belmond, Iowa, the youngest of four children.

Gordy enjoyed growing up on the farm and fondly remembered hunting and fishing with his brother Erv and working alongside his family caring for animals and tending the fields. His athletic abilities and competitive nature served him well in Little League and other sports and games.

Gordy graduated from Belmond High School, where he was a catcher on the baseball team. He then attended Luther College, where he mastered his ping pong skills and earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies. He later earned a master’s degree in guidance counseling at Winona State.

Gordy enjoyed his 35 ½ year teaching career at Westby High School, teaching US History, Economics and Social Problems; and coaching several sports, most notably varsity girls’ softball. Many of his colleagues became lifelong friends. Shortly after he moved to Westby, he met the love of his life, Jerilynn (Jeri) Hilmoe, in La Crosse. They married in July 1967 and were blessed with three children, Kristin, Craig, and Kevin as well as Gordy’s loving and loyal hunting companion, English Springer Spaniel, Mindy.

After retiring in 2000, Gordy and Jeri’s life largely revolved around supporting their nine grandchildren and attending their sporting events, plays, recitals, concerts, and other activities. Gordy enjoyed a close relationship with each of his children and grandchildren, checking in regularly through texts and phone calls, and making each person feel special. He made the best pancakes, told the best stories, and gave the best hugs. Being a devoted husband, dad and grandpa were the most important roles of his life.

Gordy and Jeri enjoyed many bus trips together, and they looked forward to family gatherings where various games and lots of laughter were always shared. Gordy was a true, life-long (often suffering) fan of the Cleveland Browns and Iowa Hawkeyes. In his retirement, he enjoyed many years of golfing, ice fishing, morning coffee, playing gin with friends and corresponding through letters with his siblings.

Gordy is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jeri; children: Kristin Gesteland (Kate, Ally, and Jacob), Craig (Lori) Johnson (Ellen, Audra, and Courtney), and Kevin (Sarah) Johnson (Sam, Grace, and Kasey); siblings, Ardith Jenison and Ervin (Liz) Johnson; and brother-in-law, Le Nevermann. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Ed and Olga Hilmoe; sister, Janelle Nevermann; brother-in-law, Marlin Jenison; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Ray Hengel; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the ICU nursing staff at Gundersen Health System for their exceptional care and concern. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or the Westby Norse Fund.

Gordy, we will love and miss you until we meet again.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Pat Kempf will officiate. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Vosseteig-Funeral Home & Crematory in Westby is serving Gordon's family.

708 S. Main Street

Westby, WI 54667

(608) 634-2100