Modesta C
Modesta Catherine Johnson was born on July 27, 1914 in the house where she spent most of her life, 622 1st Avenue East in Durand, WI.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Boehrer and Mary (Forster) Boehrer, husband, Roger, two sisters, Monica and Beatta Boehrer and brother, Thomas Boehrer, and son, Thomas. She is survived by two sons - Daniel (Mary) Johnson of Middleton Roger Johnson of Prairie du Sac, and grandsons Joseph and Thomas Johnson and daughter-in-law Barbara Keresty.
Deste, as she was known to everyone, attended St. Mary’s school and was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Assumption Church in Durand. She graduated from Eau Claire Normal College and taught at Ellsworth, Delavan, Muscoda and Sidney, MT where she met and married Roger Johnson 1946.
Upon her husband’s death in 1950, she returned to Durand where she taught high school English, journalism, history, biology and social science. She also was in charge of the Durand High School Yearbook, coached forensics and directed class plays. After earning a masters degree from Wisconsin State University - Stout she became guidance counselor and in 1967 took on the duty of principal, one of only a handful of females in such a position at the time. She retired from the Durand School District in 1976.
A devoted mother, Deste raised three sons with the aid of her two sisters and her brother. Deste loved the many dogs she had over the years and enjoyed the New York Times crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, gardening, knitting, berry picking and taking long drives through the hills and valleys surrounding Durand with friends and family members. Deste loved watching the many birds that came to her backyard birdfeeders throughout the year.
She especially looked forward to watching the Green Bay Packers’ football games during the NFL season and the annual college bowl games on New Year’s Day, as well as the Tournament of Roses Parade. And she lived long enough to see her beloved Packers win the Superbowl this year. Deste had a strong Catholic background and raised her sons accordingly. Unable to quit smoking for many years, she finally became “smoke free” by giving up the habit for Lent many years ago.
Deste entered the Oakview Care Center in Durand in 2003 where she enjoyed visits from family and many of her former students and continued her traditions of watching Packer games on T.V. and bird watching at the feeder which she kept stocked outside her bedroom window.
Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Oakview Care Center for their help, assistance and care extended to Deste and her family during her years at the care center.