Russell Johnson

Russell C. Johnson passed away at the age of 93 on June 18, 2015, with his family by his side at the Waunakee Manor Nursing Home in Waunakee. Russ was born on February 17, 1922, in St Paul Minnesota to Anna and Enoch Johnson. He was united in marriage to Mary (Jensen) Johnson on August 9, 1944. They had been married for seventy years. Most of his life Russ lived in Algonquin Illinois. They moved to Waunakee in 2011. They had an especially close family as Mary's two sisters married Russell's two brothers. Russ attended the Congregational Church of Algonquin Illinois for many years - but was a lifelong member of the Swedish Covenant Church of St. Paul, Minnesota. Russ was a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He was a pilot of the B-24 Liberator. Russell was honored to be part of the Badger Honor Flight in May 2013. Due to his love of aircraft he attended the EAA airshows in Oshkosh for many years.

He is survived by his son, Kent (Sally) Johnson; grandchildren, Cliff (Brooke) Johnson and Colby Johnson; great- grandson, Carter Johnson; and brother and sister-in-law, Sidney (Louise) Johnson. He is also survived by his niece, Kay (Keith) Anderson; great-nephews, Cory (Rachel) Olson, Matt Olson, Kevin Olson, Lucas Johnson, Benjamin Johnson and Michael Quinlan; great-great-nephew, Max Olson; and niece-in-law, Judi Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary and parents, Anna and Enoch. He was also preceded in death by brother and sister-in-law, Gordon (Marge) Johnson; sister, Roxanne (Jimmy) Thompson; niece, Nancy Johnson; nephew, Gordon Johnson, Jr. and great-nephews, Joshua Quinlan and Jamie Quinlan.

Russ worked for TransUnion Corporation in Chicago (formally Union Tank Car Company) as a state tax director. He was a member of The Mended Hearts Group of Advocate Sherman Hospital. He was also an avid golfer and downhill skier until the age of 83. Russ cared deeply about his family and will be missed by all.

A special thank you to Peggy, Tammy and the wonderful staff at the Waunakee Manor for caring so deeply about Russ. The Waunakee Manor staff and St Jude Hospice provided such compassion and dignity for Russ in his final days.

A funeral service will be held in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 5763 County Road Q, Waunakee at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2015. There will be an internment at Sunset Memorial Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 1:00 on Friday, June 26, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mended Hearts of Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois or The Badger Honor Flight, PO BOX 258066, Madison 53725.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI