Vera E. Johnson
Vera E. Johnson, age 90 of Menomonie, died Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the Glenhaven Care Center in Glenwood City.
Vera was born on November 25, 1924 into a farm family in Pleasant Valley Township, rural Eau Claire. She was the daughter of Waldemar and Rose (Krause) Jungerberg. They moved to the Krause family farm near Fall Creek, where Vera was proud to graduate as class Valedictorian of Fall Creek High School. Upon graduation, the family moved to Eau Claire, Vera attended the Vocational School until taking a position at US Rubber in Eau Claire. While at US Rubber during break the ladies would go take break at the 7UP distribution plant where Vera meet and fell in love with LeRoy Johnson. They were married on May 26, 1946 at First Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. After marriage, Vera and LeRoy farmed and started their family in the Brunswick Township, rural Eau Claire. Later they moved to New Auburn where they continued to farm. Vera was a mother, farm wife, worked as a bookkeeper for Citizen’s Telephone Co-op in New Auburn and later for the Clerk of Courts in Sawyer and Barron Counties. After retirement, Vera and LeRoy moved to Caryville and later Colfax. LeRoy passed away in 2003 and Vera moved to Menomonie where she remained the rest of her life.
Vera had many hobbies and interests throughout her life. She enjoyed gardening, canning and preserving food. She loved to cook, bake and eat! Vera appreciated all foods as long as they were chocolate and all colors as long as they were blue. Vera was a prolific reader and was passionate about learning. LeRoy and Vera developed many close friendships over the years and their favorite thing to do on a Sunday was to take a drive to go visiting. They enjoyed playing cards, and sharing treats with their loved ones. After LeRoy passed away, Vera formed the “Golden Girls” a group of widows from the New Auburn area and they meet monthly to have lunch. Vera loved unconditionally and was accepting of everyone. She had very strong family values and was endlessly devoted to her children and grandchildren. Vera also kept track of her numerous in-law relatives and always knew what was going on with everyone. Her home was the place to be for the holidays and birthdays. Vera did whatever she could to make everyone feel comfortable. Vera was as unique as her name, a strong German woman with a big heart.
Vera is survived by her children; Neil of Hayward, Karyl Johnson of Minneapolis, Gary (Andrea) of Menomonie, daughter-in-law; Linda Johnson of Chetek, four grandchildren; Nicole (Allen) Johnson-Weltzin, Ashley Johnson, Sabrina (Jake) Hemmerling and Gabriel (Erin) Johnson, two step grandchildren; Kim Haynie and Mike Kruger, three great grandchildren; Reese, Jackson and Austin, five step great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, a step sister, Marge Novotney of Chilton, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband LeRoy, two sons; Richard (1954) and an infant Rodney (1956) and one brother Melvin Jungerberg.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, December 26, 2014 at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie. Rev. Geoff Scott will officiate. Burial will be in the Brunswick Cemetery, rural Eau Claire. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until the time of services at the church on Friday.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Menomonie, is serving the family.