Roland C. Johnson

Chatham

Roland C. Johnson, age 83, of Chatham died on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice.  He was born on May 25, 1933 at his family home on Cold Springs Road to Gladys (Tweedale) and Ernest Johnson.  Roland grew up in Louds Spur and attended school in Chatham.  As a teenager, he bought himself a horse and started logging to help support his family.   He served in the U.S. Army from July 1953 until June 1955 and was stationed in Texas.  Roland married Theresa Ann Lukowski on November 10, 1956 and together raised their five children.  He worked in construction and then became a cement mason working for many construction companies.  Some of his major jobs included working on Marquette General Hospital, the Superior Dome, Wal-Mart, the Tilden Mine, and miles and miles of sidewalks.  Roland enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing down the Whitefish River.  He worked with the D.N.R. trapping bears for their studies.  Roland also guided Ted Nuggent on his U.P. bear hunt.  He also enjoyed playing cribbage and cards with his family.  Roland made the best pie crust and people would come from miles around to eat his smoked fish.

He is survived by five children – Tom (Brandy) Johnson of Rochester, WA, Sue (Bob Masters) Johnson of Chatham, Laurie Johnson of Escanaba, Riley (Jerilee) Johnson of Springfield, OR, and Mike (Ashley) Johnson of Trenary; grandchildren – Jolyne, Nicole, Lisa, D.J., Kari, Devan, Cody (Elysia), Dylan, Jada, Riley, Sammy, and Finn; great-grandchildren – Ashley (Matt) and Ryker; great-great granddaughter – Emberlyn; numerous nieces, nephews, and many good fishing buddies.  Roland was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Theresa, siblings Randall Johnson, Junior Johnson, and JoAnn Cummings.

Services will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.  Pastor Paul Kelto will conduct Roland’s memorial service at noon.