1912
Elmer
2008
Elmer O. Johnson
December 1, 1912 — February 22, 2008
Munising
Elmer O. Johnson, age 95, of 708 Cedar Street, Munising, died under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice on Friday, February 22, 2008, at 11:24 p.m. at his home. He was born in Munising at Frog Hollow to Karl and Agnes (Thunberg) Johnson on December 1, 1912. Elmer learned Swedish as his primary language and at the age of seven, he and his family moved west... .two blocks west to the home where he raised his own family. Elmer went to school at the Westward School (which became known as Lincoln) and then graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1932. He worked in the area as a lumberjack and was an avid ski jumper. At the age of eighteen, he made his own sailboat to sail on the Lake. Elmer organized and ran ice skating shows in Munising and he made skis for people in his home. In the late 1930's, Elmer moved to Algonac to work and built ships at Chris-Craft. He returned to Munising and from 1943 until 1945 he served in the U.S. Navy Seabees in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. After the War, Elmer returned home and started Johnson Brothers Construction with his brother, Lenny. He traveled all over the Upper Peninsula on construction jobs from working at N.M.U. to helping construct the International Bridge. He got his private pilot's license and took his wife of over fifty-six years into the air on their first date. Elmer married Helen Johnson at her parent's home in Newberry on June 12, 1949. They honeymooned at Mackinac Island and together raised eight children. Helen preceded Elmer to heaven on May 18, 2006.
Elmer was the Skipper of the Sea Scouts for many years and led many winter camping trips to Grand Island. He also competed in lumberjack competitions and ran the Munising Ski Club for many years. He taught ski jumping and held jumping tournaments in Munising. Elmer was a member of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, then Eden, then in 1966 the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham, and then a charter member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Munising in 1986. Elmer enjoyed cross country skiing and still competed in 25K races at the age of 80. At the age of 89, Elmer visited family in Hawaii and learned how to snorkel. He then spent summers snorkeling in Lake Superior and AuTrain Lake. Of all of Elmer's jobs and talents, he most enjoyed the sawmill at Lost Lake. On his 93rd birthday, he fell off of the sawmill roof trying to repair it by himself. He walked the Labor Day Bridge walk every year from it's inception in 1957 until just a few years ago. Elmer stayed physically active up until January 22, 2008 when he broke his hip.
Elmer sharpened skates, blades and chainsaws for everyone that needed them done. His "please place payment in envelope" still hangs on the door. He always supported his grandchildren's sporting and school events. He enjoyed reading poetry and would often go to the nursing home to read poetry to the "old people." Elmer was a longtime supporter of Right to Life for many years. He was quite a historian who loved to tell stories and often spoke at the Historical Society. Elmer had a strong faith and family was important to him. At one time he worked in a factory and wasn't comfortable there because he had to work on Sunday. He enjoyed taking rides with his family and teaching his children by letting them experience what he was teaching them - from tools, saws, smelting, raising rabbits, and plucking chickens. He enjoyed music (when he could hear) and enjoyed reading historical works and poetry. Elmer was proud of his Swedish heritage and in 1977 he went to Sweden and met many cousins and relatives that he corresponded with up until his death. He enjoyed his daily rides in his car and trips to Hardees for coffee and biscuits. Elmer's stories were wonderfully detailed and will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.
He is survived by seven children - Sonja Johnson of South Bend, Indiana, Betty (David) Sarasin and Imogene (Bob) Kurth both of Waikoloa, HI, Craig (Leslie) Johnson, Norman (Kerry) Johnson, and Marvin (Becky) Johnson all of Munising, and Marge (Chris) Voigt of Spring Hills, NJ; 21 grandchildren - Kristi, Lance, Sara, Jeffrey, Adam, Tais, Rex, Cliff, Alex, Sally, Jessica, Adam, Emily K., Alysse, Reed, Emily Ann, Matthew, Jenna, Noah, Courtney, and Regan; 5 great-grandchildren - Austin, Avery, Sophie, Addison, and Claire; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also preceding Elmer to heaven was his daughter Beverly Sue Johnson on January 8, 1968 at age three, his parents, sister Ruth Carlson, and brothers Axel and Leonard Johnson. Visitation will be held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Munising on Monday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and also on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Pastor Paul D. Kelto will conduct Elmer's funeral service at the Good Shepherd Lutheran on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. He will be escorted by his grandchildren and interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. The Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the gravesite in the spring.
Elmer O. Johnson, age 95, of 708 Cedar Street, Munising, died under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice on Friday, February 22, 2008, at 11:24 p.m. at his home. He was born in Munising at Frog Hollow to Karl and Agnes (Thunberg) Johnson on December 1, 1912. Elmer learned Swedish as his primary language and at the age of seven, he and his family moved west... .two blocks west to the home where he raised his own family. Elmer went to school at the Westward School (which became known as Lincoln) and then graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1932. He worked in the area as a lumberjack and was an avid ski jumper. At the age of eighteen, he made his own sailboat to sail on the Lake. Elmer organized and ran ice skating shows in Munising and he made skis for people in his home. In the late 1930's, Elmer moved to Algonac to work and built ships at Chris-Craft. He returned to Munising and from 1943 until 1945 he served in the U.S. Navy Seabees in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. After the War, Elmer returned home and started Johnson Brothers Construction with his brother, Lenny. He traveled all over the Upper Peninsula on construction jobs from working at N.M.U. to helping construct the International Bridge. He got his private pilot's license and took his wife of over fifty-six years into the air on their first date. Elmer married Helen Johnson at her parent's home in Newberry on June 12, 1949. They honeymooned at Mackinac Island and together raised eight children. Helen preceded Elmer to heaven on May 18, 2006.
Elmer was the Skipper of the Sea Scouts for many years and led many winter camping trips to Grand Island. He also competed in lumberjack competitions and ran the Munising Ski Club for many years. He taught ski jumping and held jumping tournaments in Munising. Elmer was a member of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, then Eden, then in 1966 the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham, and then a charter member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Munising in 1986. Elmer enjoyed cross country skiing and still competed in 25K races at the age of 80. At the age of 89, Elmer visited family in Hawaii and learned how to snorkel. He then spent summers snorkeling in Lake Superior and AuTrain Lake. Of all of Elmer's jobs and talents, he most enjoyed the sawmill at Lost Lake. On his 93rd birthday, he fell off of the sawmill roof trying to repair it by himself. He walked the Labor Day Bridge walk every year from it's inception in 1957 until just a few years ago. Elmer stayed physically active up until January 22, 2008 when he broke his hip.
Elmer sharpened skates, blades and chainsaws for everyone that needed them done. His "please place payment in envelope" still hangs on the door. He always supported his grandchildren's sporting and school events. He enjoyed reading poetry and would often go to the nursing home to read poetry to the "old people." Elmer was a longtime supporter of Right to Life for many years. He was quite a historian who loved to tell stories and often spoke at the Historical Society. Elmer had a strong faith and family was important to him. At one time he worked in a factory and wasn't comfortable there because he had to work on Sunday. He enjoyed taking rides with his family and teaching his children by letting them experience what he was teaching them - from tools, saws, smelting, raising rabbits, and plucking chickens. He enjoyed music (when he could hear) and enjoyed reading historical works and poetry. Elmer was proud of his Swedish heritage and in 1977 he went to Sweden and met many cousins and relatives that he corresponded with up until his death. He enjoyed his daily rides in his car and trips to Hardees for coffee and biscuits. Elmer's stories were wonderfully detailed and will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.
He is survived by seven children - Sonja Johnson of South Bend, Indiana, Betty (David) Sarasin and Imogene (Bob) Kurth both of Waikoloa, HI, Craig (Leslie) Johnson, Norman (Kerry) Johnson, and Marvin (Becky) Johnson all of Munising, and Marge (Chris) Voigt of Spring Hills, NJ; 21 grandchildren - Kristi, Lance, Sara, Jeffrey, Adam, Tais, Rex, Cliff, Alex, Sally, Jessica, Adam, Emily K., Alysse, Reed, Emily Ann, Matthew, Jenna, Noah, Courtney, and Regan; 5 great-grandchildren - Austin, Avery, Sophie, Addison, and Claire; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also preceding Elmer to heaven was his daughter Beverly Sue Johnson on January 8, 1968 at age three, his parents, sister Ruth Carlson, and brothers Axel and Leonard Johnson. Visitation will be held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Munising on Monday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and also on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Pastor Paul D. Kelto will conduct Elmer's funeral service at the Good Shepherd Lutheran on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. He will be escorted by his grandchildren and interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. The Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the gravesite in the spring.
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