Wilma Johnson

Wilma L. (Russell) Johnson, age 85 of Verona, WI passed away Sunday, October 6, 2019 at UW-Hospital in Madison, WI. She was born January 11, 1934 in Nodaway County, MO. She was the sixth child and fifth and youngest daughter of Ottis and Evelyn (Rowley) Russell. At the time of her birth the family was in the process of moving from Missouri to Oklahoma. The move was completed at the end of January. They had hardly settled in when Wilma became very ill with whooping cough. The neighbors gathered as the family feared they would lose her. One neighbor sent others off to look for prickly pear cactus. The neighbor made a tea from the roots and put a tiny bit in Wilma's mouth. Her choking cough subsided and she was soon out of danger. The family continued to move through-out Wilma's childhood, never staying in one place long. They moved between Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas as the dust bowl years were hard. Along with her brothers and sisters, Wilma often picked cotton and tomatoes to help the family. With better times the family moved to Wisconsin where Wilma graduated from high school. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the Wisconsin State College at La-Crosse, Wisconsin. After graduating college, Wilma married the love of her life, Sylvester Johnson, on February 25, 1967 at Black Hawk Christian Church in Madison, WI. Wilma taught in the Madison Metropolitan School System, retiring from teaching in June of 1990 after thirty-two years. Wilma loved teaching, and she loved learning. Wilma and Sylvester used their summers to travel and continue their education. Their travels also included researching family history to further Wilma's hobby of genealogy. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of the Dames of the Magna Charta. Wilma was also an artist and worked in several mediums, among them were painting, stained glass and sculpting. She began Small Wonders by Wil where she would turn a favorite photograph into sculpture. Wilma is survived by her brother: Clarence Russell of Winona, MN; a brother-in-law: Howard Johnson of Monroe, WI, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Sylvester; three brothers: Donald, Kenneth, and Franklin Russell; and four sisters: Dorothy Plice, Charlotte Green, Lois Sargeant, and Mary Jane Russell. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Erickson Funeral Home (801 Milwaukee St., Argyle) with Rev. Daniel L. Bohlman of Yellowstone/Argyle - Apple Grove Lutheran Churches officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2019 from 9:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at Erickson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Wilma's name.