Fred Johnson

Fred Lee Johnson, 74, of W4249 Spring Creek Dr., Tomahawk, passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Tomahawk on Saturday, April 10. He was born on March 20, 1936 Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill to Dorothy E. (Krueger) Johnson and Edwin Ole Johnson. He was a 1954 Graduate of Merrill High School, where he lettered in both football and track. He joined the United States Navy and served as a Medical Corpsman, and was honorably discharged after serving four years. It was while serving in the Navy, he met and married His wife Kay, who also served in the Medical Corps. He loved trout fishing so much, he convinced his wife that fishing in Merrill was the greatest way to spend their honeymoon. He also loved to hunt and in 1964, with the help of four other devoted friends, they organized the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association. That meeting led to the offer of a job with the Wisconsin Conservation Department and he was hired on December 24, 1965, and remained with the now, Department of Natural Resources for the next 29 ½ years. His love conservation and his passion of the outdoors made him a true sportsman. His need for a home in Tomahawk and purchase of an abandoned farm turned him into a pretty good carpenter, and over the years he honed his skills in many ways. He was a member of Friends of the Prairie, Trout Unlimited in Wausau and Rhinelander, Tomahawk Fishing Unlimited, Brule River Sports Men's Club, Merrill Sportsmens Club, Lake Alice Association, and helped with stream restoration in Lincoln, Oneida, and Langlade Counties for the past 15 years. As Well as being a father to four children of his own, he also helped care for two other children during the 54 years he and his wife where together. Fred is survived by his wife, Kay, his mother, Dorothy Johnson, one brother, Richard (Helen) Johnson, one daughter, Kathleen Overby, three sons, Robert Johnson, Kenneth (Sherri) Johnson, and Larry (Cindy) Johnson. He is also survived by six grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father. Memorial Services for Fred Johnson will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 12 Noon from the First Congregational Church in Tomahawk. Rev. John Miskimen will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10 AM until the time of services at 12 Noon. A Military Tribute Service will take place immediately before Memorial Services. Krueger Family Funeral Home is assisting the family. View the obituary and leave online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com