Obituaries

It is with heavy hearts that on Saturday, July 27, 2024, we had to say goodbye to our husband, father, and father-in-law. He passed away from heart failure and other ailments at Agrace Hospice Care. Al was born in Portage, Wisconsin on September 12, 1935, to Helen (Hermanson) and Alvin D. Johnson Sr. He attended Portage Schools leaving in his senior year, graduating from Madison East in 1953.

He started working at Oscar Mayer when he turned 18 continuing to work there as a power plant engineer until his retirement in 1985. After a couple of years, he was offered a job to work in the power plant at Mendota Mental Health Facility as an engineer. He was drafted into the Army, serving 2 years at the base in Anchorage, Alaska from 1958 to 1960. Upon his discharge he met Marjorie Dirienzo on a blind date. Their marriage lasted for 63 years and together had two children, Jill and Steve.

Jill dearly loved her dad remembering how he told her the 3 Bear Story differently every night at bedtime. They could talk about anything

Besides Jill and her husband Brian Barr Al leaves behind his wonderful son, Steven and his companion Kathy Jowett. They had a great relationship. The two of them could talk about cars, finances, politics and anything that was mechanical.

We went on many vacation trips, most often to the western states, always having a lot of fun.

Not to be forgotten is Jill’s husband Brian. He was a tremendous help during the bad times. All 3 kids were on a 24 hour on call shift not getting a lot of sleep, but still working every day, going grocery shopping, doing laundry, and caring for the lawn and yard.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; sister Dolores (Robert) Heberlein; brothers-in-law Daniel (Dee) Dirienzo; Thomas Dirienzo; sisters-in-law Rosalyn (Sister Damien) Dirienzo; Eva (Samuel) Mender, Helen (Wally) Coleman, Elizabeth “Betty” (William) Schlotthauer and Evelyn (Wayne) Havey.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie; daughter Jill (Brian) Barr; son Steve (Kathy Jowett and her daughter Skye Jowett); sister-in-law Judy Dirienzo and many nieces and nephews.

Al loved mowing the lawn and feeding the birds and any other animals that came to our backyard. He also really liked Western movies – a little popcorn followed by chocolates. Another of his favorite things was going to Lutefisk dinners at various churches in the fall.

He was in pretty good health until the last 5-6 months. He was very upset to learn he couldn’t drive the car to go on his morning trip to buy newspapers and a few groceries including a couple of Persian breakfast rolls.

As he passed away there appeared a beautiful blue and red butterfly on a bush, staying for quite a while. This seemed like an omen to us – telling us that it was okay.

Per his wishes a private family graveside service will be held at Spring Prairie Lutheran Cemetery.

A special thank you to Agrace staff and home nurses for giving him comfort.

We love you dad – rest in peace.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services