Victor N. Johnson
Victor Neri Johnson, 84, of Arcadia, died Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Victor was born on the family farm in rural Melrose, May 10, 1939, to Leonard and Nina (Danielson) Johnson. After high school, Victor went to work around the Milwaukee area, first with American Motors and then construction of underground pipes and sewers. He moved back to Trempealeau County and became a “jack-of-all-trades”, though specializing in carpentry and construction with Beaver Builders.
Victor was united in marriage to Barbara Dick, and together they had twin daughters: Joan and Jane. They later divorced. Victor later met Jean (Ruben) Reuter and blended their families. Victor and Jean were united in marriage November 12, 1999, on a whim, on the Miss Marquette in Iowa. Together the couple enjoyed entertaining and visiting their family, friends and neighbors. In his younger years, Victor liked to hunt and fish, but later found a love for meat processing. Victor’s secret recipes for sausage and bologna were unmatched and in high demand by many loyal customers. He was an amazing entertainer, grill master, cook and preparer of lutefisk. He loved to meet new people and could visit with anyone and everyone for hours, even if he was always “full of bologna”. Victor enjoyed seeing friends at local establishments and reminiscing about old times. He always had a joke to share, a smile on his face, and a cookie in his hand. His contagious laugh, secret recipes and lifelong memories will be savored by all who knew him.
Victor is survived by his loving wife, Jean; daughters: Joan (Paul) Huseboe and Jane (Dean) Kindschy; stepchildren: John (Tania) Reuter, Pete (Sue) Reuter, Jeff (Joyce) Reuter, Beth (Roger) Klein, and Scott (Sherry) Reuter; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters: Fern Durbin and Elizabeth Zurbuchen; and many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.
Victor was preceded in death by his parents; six infant children; brothers: Curtis (Hazel) Johnson and Bobby Johnson; sisters: Phyllis Ruff, Joyce Suchla, Linda Warner, and Berniece Bishop; and other relatives.
Family and friends are welcome for visitation, Sunday, June 25, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home in Arcadia. A funeral service will be held Monday, June 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church (White Church), rural Ettrick, with Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen officiating. There will also be an hour of visitation prior to the service at church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A gathering for fellowship will follow the burial at the Arcadia Country Club, Arcadia.
To express condolences to his family online, please visit www.wozneykillianfh.com.
