Gerald "Jerry" R. Johnson

Jerry Johnson, age 91, of Neillsville, WI died Saturday, August 17, 2019 in his residence at the Neillsville Retirement Community.

Gerald R. Johnson was born on August 6, 1928 in Modena, WI the son of Elroy and Laura (Kezar) Johnson. He attended Happy Hollow Grade School in Neillsville and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1946. He entered the United States Army in 1951, serving during the Korean War. On March 29, 1952 Jerry was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Holt in Neillsville. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1953 and returned to Neillsville, where he worked at American Stores Dairy from’54 to ‘63. He then went to work for Neillsville Milk Products from ’63 to ’65 and then for Foremost Foods, where he retired in 1990 after 25 years. In retirement, Jerry and his wife, Mary Ellen, worked for the Clark County Forestry and Parks Department as a part-time caretakers of Russell Memorial Park.

He is a member of the United Church of Christ in Neillsville and a retiree of the Teamster’s Union.

He is survived by two children, Steven (Donna) Johnson of Eau Claire, WI and Leeann (LeRoy) Krall of West Salem, WI, three grandchildren, Ryan (April) Krall of Eau Claire, WI and Nate (Jenna) Krall of Onalaska, WI and Christie (James) Gassen of O’Fallon, IL, seven great-grandchildren, Mathias and Adria Gassen, Brooklyn, twins Jackson and Mason Krall and Elsie and Violet Krall and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen and his parents.

Funeral Services for Jerry will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor Jacoba Koppert and Pastor Douglas Bjerke will co-officiate. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery, with Military Honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the United Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Clark County Humane Society, W3926 State Hwy 73, Neillsville, WI 54456 or the Neillsville Library, 409 Hewett St., Neillsville, WI 54456 or the Birchwood United Church 103 E. Balsalm Ave., Birchwood, WI 54817.

Casket bearers will be: Tom Behrens, Jim Smagacz, Tim Tresemer, Rich Beck, Don Murphy, Dennis Buchholz, Glen Luchterhand, Russell Karl, Walter Spencer and Tom Firnstahl.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Jerry’s family with funeral arrangements.