Obit: Johnson, Helen P. (1912 - 2009)

Contact: Linda Mertens
Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Johnson, Stasek, Netzer, Mertens, Trabandt, O'Bryan

----Source - Private Collection

Helen Johnson (31 Oct 1912 - 25 Jul 2009)
DORCHESTER -- Helen Pauline Johnson, 96, of Dorchester, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2009, at Our House Assisted Living in Medford under the tender care of Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Inc.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester. The Rev. Benjamin Franklin will officiate. Burial will follow in Dorchester Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of service Wednesday at the church in Dorchester. A parish rosary service will take place at the church at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Her grandsons will act as her pallbearers.

Helen was born in Chicago on Oct. 31, 1912, to John and Mary Stasek. In 1918, at the age of six, with her brother, Emil, her sister, Mathilda, and her parents, she moved to the town of Hoard, northwest of Curtiss. There she attended school and later worked in Milwaukee and Chicago.

Ernest Johnson and Helen Stasek were united in marriage April 15, 1939. For the next 43 years, they farmed Ernest's family dairy farm located 3 1/4 miles west of Dorchester. During that time, they raised their family of seven children: Rita (Larry) Netzer, Medford, WI, Linda Mertens, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Bill "Ole" (Helen) Johnson, Evansville, Ind.; Mary Ann (Hugh) Trabandt, Colorado Springs, Colo.; John (Kathi) Johnson, Dorchester; Donald (Cathy) Johnson, Ashland, Ore.; and Ronald (Debbie) Johnson, Batesville, Ind.

As her children left home, in addition to caring for foster children, Helen once again took up a hobby she had begun as a young girl, drawing. For many years, she attended weekly oil painting classes in Westboro under the tutelage of Joe O'Bryan. As word of her talent spread, she received numerous commissions to do paintings. In addition, she created many lovely paintings for all her children and grandchildren.

In 1973, Helen and Ernest retired from farming and built a new home in Dorchester. Helen tried her hand at many other crafts. She learned to use water colors and to do tole painting. She took cake decorating classes and taught herself to type. She learned calligraphy and flower arranging. She even commuted to Wausau for a computer class in 1988, at the age of 75.

Helen and Ernest celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1989, both managing to fit into their original wedding attire.

There was no such thing as sitting still without having something for Helen's hands to do! She crocheted multiple doilies, knitted and made numerous quilts for children, grandchildren and World Relief. With the metabolism of a hummingbird, she baked pies, cakes, triple batches of cookies and of course, the not-to-be-forgotten apple strudels.

Helen was a very active member of the Christian Women Altar Society and Dorchester Senior Citizens.

Helen became the official St. Louis Catholic Church historian, producing many volumes of scrap books pertaining to activities of parishioners. For many years, she arranged the altar flowers, many of which came from her own yard. Her flowers were something to behold! The backyard had more flowers than grass, and she also maintained a large vegetable garden until about 2003, when age no longer permitted.

In February 2006, at the age of 93 and with failing short-term memory, Helen conceded that it was time to move to Our House Assisted Living in Medford. Typical of Helen, she adjusted to her new surroundings with minimal regret. She enjoyed receiving visitors and never missed an opportunity to play cards.

She remained an inspiration to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her attitude and tenacity demonstrated how much one person can accomplish in a lifetime.

In addition to her parents and siblings, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest in 1993 and one son-in-law, Lloyd Mertens, in 1997. In addition to her sons and daughters, son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws, Helen is survived by 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

"Some day you'll wish you could hear your mother sing..."

The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Dorchester is assisting the family.