Obit: Johnson, Katherine M. “Katy” (1947 – 2008)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Johnson, Askelson, Holthaus, Melton, Helgeson, Nerby, Kohlhepp, Olson, Erickson

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) October 15, 2008

Johnson, Katherine M. “Katy” (7 September 1947 – 14 October 2008)

Katherine M. “Katy” Johnson, 61, of Black River Falls and formerly of Onalaska died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008, in St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Katy was born Sept. 7, 1947, in Sparta to Leon K. and Ruth K. (Askelson) Johnson. She was raised in Onalaska and graduated from Onalaska High School in 1965.

She worked for 10 years in the Respiratory Therapy Department at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

In the late 1970’s, Katy moved to Jackson County. She has been employed as a certified nursing assistant at the Pine View Care Center for the last 23 years.

Katy enjoyed spending time with her brother, sisters and many friends. She loved feeding and watching birds.

Surviving are her special friend, Steve Holthaus, Millston; her son, David Melton, Greenfield; a granddaughter, Gianne Marie; a brother, Leo (Joyce) Johnson, Murfreesboro, TN; six sisters, Audrey (Art) Helgeson, Loveland, CO, Betty (Sanford) Nerby, Rochester, MN, LaVonne (Stan) Kohlhepp, Margaret Olson and Sandra Johnson, all of Eau Claire, and Donna Erickson, La Crosse; and a sister-in-law, Coleen Askelson, Decorah, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Ralph Askelson, and a brother-in-law, Paul Erickson.

There will be no visitation. A celebration of Katy’s life will be held at a later date.

Torgerson’s Funeral Service (715-284-4321) of Black River Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.