Obit: Johnson, Elmo N. (1916 - 2007)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

 

Surnames: Johnson, Rickard, Hanson, Burns, Deutschmann, BoHansen, Fay, Hakes, Biggar

 

----Source: Banner Journal, Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI, July 25, 2007, Page 14

 

 

ELMO N. JOHNSON (September 21, 1916- July 20, 2007)

 

Elmo N. Johnson, age 90, of Black River Falls, died Friday, July 20, 2007, under the care of Black River Hospice in the Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls.

 

Elmo was born September 21, 1916, in the Town of Irving, Jackson County, to Emil and Nina Johnson.  He was raised in Black River Falls and graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1934.

 

He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1945.

 

 

Elmo married the former Alice Rickard July 15, 1938, in Des Moines, IA. The couple lived in Merrillan for a year where Elmo operated a grocery store.  They lived the remainder of their married lives in Black River Falls.

 

Elmo was a mail carrier from 1937 until his retirement in 1984.

 

He pursued his passion for music as a dance band leader.  He entertained many people over the years with his trumpet playing.

 

In the year 2000, Elmo was honored for playing "Taps" at 1,000 funerals of his comrades.  He continued to play "Taps" for his fellow veterans until early 2007.

 

He was a member, and past commander of the Miles-Hagen American Legion Post #200, the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Skyline Golf Course.

 

Surviving are his wife, Alice; two daughters, Barbara (Paul Hanson, Black River Falls, and Brenda (Ronald) Hanson, Hatfield; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, Alisa (Scott) Burns and their children, Corey and Samantha; Jennifer (Mike) Deutschmann and their children, Zack, Jake, and Luke; Melissa (Erick) BoHansen and their children, Molly, Carly, and Gunnar; Paul (Marni) Hanson and their children, Max Ben, and Jake; Matt (Carrie) Hanson and their children, Grace and Julia; Amy (Kevin) Fay and their children, Madelyn and Riley; and Beth (Rob) Hakes and their son, Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Avis Biggar; and two brothers, Russell and Harold "Duane" Johnson.

 

Funeral services for Elmo N. Johnson were held Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at 11 a.m. from the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church with military honors.  Pastor Ramie Bakken officiated, and burial will be at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls.  Relatives and friends called at Torgerson’s Funeral Home (715-284-4321), Black River Falls Monday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

 

Pallbearers were Paul, David and Matt Hanson, Scott and Corey Burns, Mike Deutschmann, Erik BoHansen, Kevin Fay and Rob Hakes.

 

The family prefers memorials be given to the Black River Hospice, the Evangelical Lutheran Church or to Miles-Hagen American Legion Post #200.

 

 

Music was the order for the day

 

A jazz band played "When the Saints Come Marchin’ In" in tribute to Elmo Johnson as the former band leader’s casket was brought out of the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church July 24.  Johnson was a well-known musician in the area for many years. (Photo by Pat McKnight/Banner Journal)

 

 

 

Honoring the fallen

 

An honor guard lined the walk at the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church July 14 when the casket bearing Elmo Johnson was escorted from the church.  Johnson was a veteran of World War II and a well-known entertainer in the area.  He is especially recognized for his dedication to veterans through his service at their funerals.  Johnson has played "Taps" for over 1,000 veterans’ funerals.  (Photo by Pat McKnight/Banner Journal)

 

 


© Every submission is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.

 

Show your appreciation of this freely provided information by not copying it to any other site without our permission.

 

Become a Clark County History Buff

 

Report Broken Links

A site created and maintained by the Clark County History Buffs
and supported by your generous donations.

 

Webmasters: Leon Konieczny, Tanya Paschke,

Janet & Stan Schwarze, James W. Sternitzky,

Crystal Wendt & Al Wessel

 

CLARK CO. WI HISTORY HOME PAGE