Gerald 'Jerry' Robert Johnson

Gerald "Jerry" Robert Johnson, 80, of Baraboo, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, at St. Clare Meadows Care Center. Jerry was born on July 21, 1928, in Denmark, Wis., the son of Robert and Helen (Kryniak) Johnson. He attended Lincoln High School in Manitowoc and then enlisted into the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of master sergeant after 21 years of service. On Dec. 2, 1950, Jerry was united in marriage with Marion Fascino at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Floral Park, N.Y. In 1963, Jerry and the family were relocated to Baraboo, where he was assigned as a recruiter for the Air Force before retiring in 1967. Jerry was a very active volunteer in the community whose philosophy was "service to others, especially those less fortunate." He was very instrumental with the B.P.O.E. Baraboo Elks Lodge #688, where he rose through the ranks to become exalted ruler from 1979 to 1980, and ultimately finished as a trustee. In addition, he was a member of the Waiter's Club for over 20 years and presided as "head waiter" for three of those years. He was a Boy Scout coordinator for the Explorers Post 2391. Jerry also coordinated the Elks "Deer Hide" program and assisted in arranging to have the veterans visit the Circus World Museum every year. His last contribution to the Vets was helping to raise money to purchase phone cards for our troops overseas. Other committee and membership organizations included the Veterans Administration Service Committee, which he was active in for over 30 years; the Veterans Memorial Committee for the City of Baraboo; Sauk County Veterans Service Commission, and was treasurer of the Senior Citizen Center in Baraboo for over three years. Jerry enjoyed the outdoors with hunting, fishing, boating and loved to dance.

Jerry is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Marion of Baraboo; four children, Diane (Fred) Baker of Mayer, Minn., Jill Mohn (partner Bill Darling) of Henderson, Ky., Edie Ladd (partner Rick Busser) of Jackson, Curtis (Roberta) Johnson of Sacramento, Calif.; six grandchildren, Dominic and Samantha Ladd, Alex and Christopher Mohn, Krystal and Vinnie Johnson; one brother Lee (Margaret) Johnson of Dandridge, Tenn.; three sisters, Lynn (Tom) Kramer, Edel (Leif) Strand and Carol (Bill) Thomas , all of Anchorage, Alaska.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Keith; a sister Kay; and two son-in-laws.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Baraboo, with the Rev. Larry Bakke officiating. Visitation will be at the Rago-Baldwin Funeral Home on Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with an Elks Memorial Service at 5:30 p.m., and visitation at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to; St. Joseph Catholic Church, Senior Center of Baraboo, National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, or the Baraboo Elks Lodge #688. The Rago-Baldwin Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.