Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Marie Johnson, age 93, passed away on October 30, 2021. We have lost a woman of exceptional kindness, uncommon wisdom, perseverance, and an elegant sense of style. Liz was born November 1, 1927, to Gustav and Clara (Bauman) Bruehlman in Argyle, WI. She was the first child born on U.S. soil after her parents emigrated from Switzerland. She attended Argyle Public Schools and Switzer-Deutsch was her first language. Liz lived through her sister's death from influenza and her brother's struggle with polio when the family was quarantined. She was a lifelong Lutheran and her deep faith anchored her life.On January 20, 1948 she married Malcolm Jerome Johnson, and they joined together on the farm to raise dairy cows, pigs, vegetables, chickens, crops---and 3 children. She wanted to be a nurse but her role as mother, homemaker, farm wife/partner, and neighbor fulfilled her. She was a lifelong member of Yellowstone Lutheran Church where she served on Council; one of her proudest accomplishments was making the decision to call Pastor Dan Bohlman. Liz was a member of Yellowstone Ladies Aid, and participated actively in the life and health of the congregation where she and Mac were proud workers at the Norwegian Supper. Her neighbors were her friends and she supported them with gigantic delicious threshing meals and helped whenever a need arose. She and Mac planted and harvested together and taught their children the wisdom of a wholesome rural life. Liz loved gardening and relished her plants and flowers; she was an avid reader. She had a passion for woodworking and refinishing and found furniture others had given up on, fashioning a new arm or pedestal, and a thing of beauty was reborn! Liz was known to enjoy a turn at the slot machines and adored antiquing. She was a proud member of the Blanchardville Legion Auxiliary. Family was the center of her life and she was an unconditionally loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Liz espoused the Golden Rule, hard work, and a love of God as the hallmarks of a successful and happy life; she was a beacon of humility and a worthy role model. A master seamstress, she made all her children's clothes until they were 12. She was talented in the kitchen and is best known for her scrumptious baked breads, cinnamon rolls, pies, and candies at Christmas. She had 3 goals for her children that were not achieved by her—a high school education, learning to swim, and taking piano lessons. The first two were fulfilled but cost prohibited the third.She is survived by her children: Linda Dieckhoff (Steve), Hollandale, WI, Katherine Johnson-Becklin, Monona, WI, and David Malcolm Johnson, Blanchardville, WI; 5 grandchildren: Tonya Hamilton Nisbet (Jay), Monona, WI, Joy Hammer (Curtis),Verona, WI, Jesse David Johnson (Stacy), New Glarus, WI, Reverend Hans Eric Becklin (Reverend Marissa), Ephrata, PA, and Alexandra Becklin, Madison, WI. 7 great grandchildren also survive her. Also surviving Liz are a sister, Ida Gerber, Monroe, and brother John Bruehlman (JoAnne), Argyle.Predeceasing her were her husband, Malcolm Jerome Johnson, her son-in-law Jay R. Becklin, her brother, Gustav Bruehlman, and sisters Klara Bruehlman and Bertha Willborn.The family is extremely thankful for the dedicated, compassionate, and loving care provided to Liz by St. Mary's Care Center. We are also grateful for the years of in-home care delivered by Kathy Brockman, a skilled R.N. and a family friend. A funeral service will be held Friday, November 5 at Yellowstone Lutheran Church at 1 PM. Masks required. Visitation and time for fellowship 11:30 AM until the time of the service. The Erickson Funeral Home in Argyle is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. Memorials can be made to Yellowstone Lutheran Church, 4472 Saints Rd., Blanchardville, WI 53516.