L. Grace Johnson 06/18/2022

Leona Grace Johnson, age one hundred of New Richmond, WI, died on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Our House Senior Living in New Richmond. Grace was born the daughter of Charles and Julia (Harrison) Ellis on the family farm near Clear Lake, WI. She graduated from Amery High School with the class of 1939. Grace attended vocational school in Minneapolis, MN to become a nurse. She met Jalmer Johnson at a dance on October 30, 1940. In 1941, Jalmer left to serve in WWII. Grace moved to New York City where she worked as a nurse for 4 years. On October 30, 1945, she was married to Jalmer Johnson at her parents’ home. Grace and Jalmer made their new home in New Richmond. Grace continued to work as a nurse for a few more years before staying home to raise their children. Once the kids were old enough, Grace went back to work. She worked at Krueger’s and Lindy’s grocery stores, and as a secretary for Fabri Tech in Amery and Elgin in New Richmond. Grace wrote and published a book on genealogy and a book of short stories by her grandfather that she found and recorded during her genealogy research. She loved travel, ballroom dancing with Jalmer, golfing and entertaining family and friends. Grace was an avid reader and meticulous writer. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as well as a faithful member of St Luke’s Lutheran Church.  Grace was a well-mannered lady with a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. She was a very attentive and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Julia Ellis; husband, Jalmer Johnson; sons-in-law, Lloyd Schmotter and Bill Hart; granddaughter, Erin Schmotter; grandson-in-law, Mark Alvarez; and siblings, Irvin (Lena) Ellis, Clara (Rudolph) Lark, Robert (Ruth) Ellis, George (Elsie) Ellis, Ruth (Alvin) Johnson, Ralph (Judy) Ellis, Charles (Tiny) Ellis; and step-brother, Earl (Mildred) Brown. Grace is survived by her children, Mick (Tammy) Johnson and Julie Hart; grandchildren, Miranda (Mark Erickson) Johnson, Dana (Jeremy Willis) Juaire, Chamie Alvarez, Beth (Jeremiah) Klein, Matthew Juaire, Nicholas Johnson, and Tyler Johnson; great-grandchildren, Mark Alvarez, Mariah Miller, Parker Gaustad, Bennett Gaustad, Isabella Gaustad, Levi Burch, Noah Alvarez, Kaiden McWilliams, Jonah Alvarez, Tiergan McWilliams, Brahm McWilliams, Ashling McWilliams, Alexandra Klein, and Finnley Klein; Godchildren, Nancy Moore, and Dale Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at 11 am at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 365 W River Drive New Richmond, WI and streamed live through the link just below this obituary. Visitation was also on Thursday from 10-11 am at the church. Interment was in the New Richmond Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or the Heritage Center. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch Grace’s service