Because of complications during pregnancy related to her diabetes, the late Karyle Johnson lost an eye giving birth years ago.

Through the efforts of a Madison ophthalmologist, Johnson kept her other eye and was able to watch her daughter, Angela Erin, get married two years ago.

Recently, Johnson may have unknowingly given someone else a similar opportunity.

Not long after Johnson's death Aug. 23 at the age of 53, her husband received a phone call from someone with the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin saying Johnson's cornea was being used for a transplant.

"They wanted to tell me that her eye had given sight to someone else," Dallas Johnson said as he choked up Saturday.

The final act of generosity seemed to be indicative of the life of a dedicated public servant who served the people of Sauk County for 30-plus years.

As administrator of the Sauk County Child Support Agency, responsible for enforcing child support, medical support and establishing paternity, Karyle Johnson helped others see.

"She was an educator of the first rate," Dallas Johnson said. "She didn't always tell people what they wanted to hear. But they needed to hear it and they always would thank her for that. ... To talk to Karyle was instantly to connect with someone that would look you straight in face and talk to you and respect you."

Last month, as the Sauk County Board passed a resolution commending Karyle Johnson for her years of service, a group of teary-eyed co-workers and friends sat in the back of the room to listen in along with Dallas Johnson and his daughter, Angela Erin Straub. It was a testament to the impact Karyle Johnson had on others.

"We all respected her," said Cherie McGraw, who worked with Karyle Johnson for 10 years as a program assistant. "I mean, the lady was just so, so good."

Year after year under Karyle Johnson's leadership, the Sauk County agency racked up awards for being in the top 10 of Wisconsin counties in the percentage of collections realized, McGraw said.

Aside from running an efficient and effective agency, Karyle Johnson was recognized as a statewide leader in child support policy development, said Tori Vesely, assistant corporation counsel for Sauk County who has taken over as interim child support agency administrator.

Child support collection can be a messy business, Vesely said.

"Even though we're typically dealing with people in unpleasant circumstances, I think they respected the fact that Karyle always treated them with respect and care and kindness, and I think that says a lot about who she is," Vesely said.

'40 wonderful years'

Karyle Johnson grew up on a farm near Waldwick, and later met her future husband as a choir student at Mineral Point High School, where she was known for her alto voice. She was also a talented saxophone player, Dallas Johnson said.

Dallas Johnson said he remembers talking to the younger Karyle about relationship problems he was having with other girls, clueless that his future wife already had plans for the two of them.

Karyle would graduate high school early, at the age of 15.

As college students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the two became closer and tied the knot just three years after high school.

After working for a time as a first-grade teacher at South School in Reedsburg, Johnson accepted a position as a legal secretary in the Sauk County District Attorney's Office. She dealt primarily with child support cases.

Karyle Johnson battled diabetes all her life, but never let it slow her down, her husband said.

The two loved to travel, and had one of their most memorable moments together at the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Dallas Johnson said.

Karyle Johnson was an avid fan of Wisconsin Badger sports, and the Johnsons were Wisconsin Badger football season ticket holders. That's what made this Saturday's game difficult for Dallas Johnson, who made the trip to Madison without his wife.

"It makes it easier knowing we were together 40 wonderful years," Dallas Johnson said.

He was by his wife's side Aug. 23 when she passed on after middle-of-the-night complications related to her diabetes.

The two had just enjoyed an evening out and dinner with friends, Dallas Johnson said.

Legacy will live on

Following her death, friends and family donated $1,500 to the Baraboo Public Library and more than $3,000 to the Johnsons' church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Baraboo, for new choir robes. Karyle Johnson's memorial also donated several hundred dollars to renovation efforts at the historic Mineral Point Library, Dallas Johnson said.

And while a part of Karyle Johnson will continue to live on and give someone else the gift of sight, others feel Johnson's presense will be felt for a long time.

"I hear the ghost every once in a while, tapping me on the head, telling me what to do," Vesely said. "She trained me very well."

Karyle is also survived by her mother Ellen Erickson, Mineral Point, brother Kim (Claire) Erickson, Winona, Minn., father and mother-in-law, Norman and Marilyn Johnson of Mineral Point, son-in-law Spencer of McFarland, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Her father, Leif, and grandparents, G. Vernon and Blanche Cox, preceded her in death.

— News Republic editor Brendan Leonard contributed to this story.