Obit: Johnson, Ronald O. (1931 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Guthman, Johnson, Laabs, Roseneck, Schottelkorb, Sommer, Taipala

----Source: The Cornell Courier-Sentinel (Cornell, WI) 9/18/2017

Johnson, Ronald “Ron” O. (6 OCT 1931 - 15 SEP 2017)

Ronald “Ron” O. Johnson, Adams, and formerly of Holcombe, was reunited with the love of his life, Irene (Guthman), Sept. 15, 2017, at the age of 85.

Ron was born Oct. 6, 1931, to parents Walter “Blackie” and Lorinda (Laabs) Johnson. He split his childhood and young adult years between Cornell and Holcombe, where he attended Holcombe High School.

Ron married his high school sweetheart, Irene, May 12, 1951, in Cornell. He grew up as an avid baseball and basketball player, and was well-renowned by players and coaches in the area for his famous arm at the catcher position.

Ron was fond of the outdoors, enjoying time on the water fishing, and deer hunting with his sons, and other friends and family. He began his working life on the farm and moved on to become a milk delivery driver, a cheesemaker as part of the Laabs family business, and finally moved to Milwaukee in 1956 to support his family as a die-cast operator at Briggs and Stratton.
He happily retired in 1986 after 30 years with the company.

Ron and Irene retired to Adams in 1990, where they spent their time enjoying the abundant wildlife in their backyard until Irene passed away in 2001.

He is survived by his children – Ronnie Lee (Dee), Joyce Roseneck, Thomas (Terri) and Robert (Mary); two sisters – Dona Taipala and Ruth Ann Sommer; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, with Pastor Andy Schottelkorb officiating. The celebration will begin with a visitation from noon until 2 p.m., with a funeral service immediately following.

Burial will commence after the service at the Holcombe Cemetery on State Highway 27, where he will reunite with his wife, Irene, for eternity.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.leiserbortonfuneralhome.com.