Obituary of Ken R. Johnson

Ken Johnson, age 66, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Monday, July 11, 2016 at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Kevin Ader will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday, July 15, 2016 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at the funeral home. Ken was born on February 13, 1950 in Rhinelander, WI to Gordon and Hilda (Krause) Johnson. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968. Ken married Mary Casper, which later ended in divorce. He then married Tina Siems on April 17, 1982. He worked with his brother doing construction throughout his life, retiring in 2009. After retirement, Ken delivered Buyer's Guides and enjoyed getting to know the customers on his routes. Ken enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening, camping and golfing. He was a sports fanatic and never missed a Green Bay Packer or Brewer game. Ken enjoyed sharing his extensive knowledge and dedicated his time coaching bowling and softball. He was always proud when one of this "kids" would get a new high score. Ken is survived by wife Tina, son Scott Johnson of Wisconsin Rapids, daughters Chrissy Johnson of Wisconsin Rapids and Nikki (Justin Fremsted) Johnson of Eau Claire; sisters: Bev Schwartz of Fond du Lac, Barb (Dennis) Schwartz of Fond du Lac, Dawn (Lloyd) Leurquin of Ogdensburg, and Joy (Bruce) Hendrickson of Wisconsin Rapids; brothers: Lou (Eve) Johnson of San Clemente, CA, Jim Johnson of Wisconsin Rapids; and grandchildren: Scott Jr., Julianna, and Jasmine all of Wisconsin Rapids. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, in-laws, his trusty sidekick Gizmo and his special "bro" Steve Hagen. Ken was preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Hilda, step-mother Donna, father-in-law James Siems and brothers-in-law: Ken Schwartz, Jack Siems, Brad Siems and Larry Siems. The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to the F8 staff at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, especially nurses Shana, Katie and Kayla. We had joy, we had fun We had seasons in the sun.