Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson, 95, of Seneca died Monday morning, April 9, 2012. Robert Q. Johnson, age 95, died April 9, 2012 at Bethany Riverside in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he had resided for the last year. He was born November 24, 1916, in Gays Mills, Wisconsin to Clara R. (Quamme) and Thomas M. Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Mt. Sterling Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member. He grew up in Mt. Sterling and graduated from Seneca High School. At age 17, he began his first job working in retail at Sherwoods Store in Mt. Sterling. He then managed stores in Richland Center and Viola. On December 4, 1937, he married (Violet) Avis Wheeler of Viola. Together they started a grocery business in Seneca, which grew to the present Johnsons One Stop Shopping Service. Robert served on the Seneca School Board, the Seneca Sanitary District Board; and in various positions at the Mt. Sterling Lutheran Church. He was a supporter of local youth activities, especially the Crawford County Animal Auction. Family was always an important part of his life. Horses and ponies were an important family activity in earlier years. He is survived by a daughter Janice (Owen) Hegge of Spring Grove, MN; a son Jerry (Trudy) Johnson of Seneca; six grandchildren: Bruce Hegge of Spring Grove, MN, Karin (Hiroshi) Tanaka of Memphis, TN, Sara (Darin) Bratland of Spring Grove, MN, Bradley (Gretchen) Johnson of Seneca, WI, Artell (Deborah) Johnson of Seneca, WI, Julie (Daniel) Wollman of Westby, WI; by 15 great-grandchildren; a brother Walter (Marilyn) Johnson of Shakopee, MN; many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by Avis, his wife of 71years, an infant son, Jeffrey; his parents and a sister Clarice (LaVerne) Schaller. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Sterling Lutheran Church, Mount Sterling, Wis. Burial will follow in the Mount Sterling Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills (formerly Dommersneas-Bertram) and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Gays Mills is serving the family.