Janice Johnson 09/07/2020

Janice Kay Johnson of New Richmond passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on September 7, 2020. She was 78 years old. She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 31, 1942 to Robert A. ‘Bob’ and Eva Smith of New Richmond. Janice was raised as a small child on a family farm in Stanton Township by her mother and grandfather until Bob returned from European service in World War II. She often spoke of childhood, snow day sleigh rides from a neighborly farmer to the one-room country school she attended that is now Stanton Town Hall. She moved into New Richmond at age 10 with her parents and sister Joyce and graduated from New Richmond High School in 1960. She attended UW-Stout for three years. Janice married the love of her life, Dennis A. Johnson, on June 22, 1963 and they spent the next 57 years together as a happily married couple living in rural homes on land that had been in the possession of her family for several generations. They had two children, Timothy and Amy. For the first 15 years of marriage, Janice kept a loving and modest home as a mother and homemaker before joining Dennis as co-owner and manager of Proto-Type Machine from 1976 until their retirement in 2004. After a serious workplace accident to her husband in 1995, Janice became more active in the manufacturing aspect of the business, programming CNC equipment and working on the small production floor. In retirement they were happy to have extra time to spend around the homestead enjoying their retirement home and family. Janice was an avid lover of animals and nature. She adored her horses and spent many hours horseback riding. She was very fond of her two German Shepherd dogs and would rescue any stray cat that wandered into her barn. Admiring the nature all around her was a passion and many hours were spent watching all the song birds at the feeders, the swans on her pond or the deer that happened to wander through the yard. All these things brought a smile to her face. She was able to transfer her love of nature and holiday scenes to watercolor paintings that adorn her family home. Janice is survived by her husband, Dennis; son, Timothy; daughter, Amy (Nate) Olson; grandson, Tanner Olson; sister, Joyce (Roger) Peterson; sister-in-law, Marlys (John) Atter; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert A. and Eva Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for any donations in her name go to Five Loaves Food Shelf at 144 W. 3rd Street in New Richmond.  A Memorial Service was held on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 12 noon at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church (1880 County Road G) in Erin Prairie, WI with a visitation starting one hour prior to the service. Guests were asked to follow all CDC guidelines for gatherings including social distancing and face masks. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.