Obituaries

Madison - Robert E. "Bob" Johnson, age 92, of Madison, WI passed on to eternal life on February 19, 2025, at Home Again Senior Living in Waunakee. He was born on August 8, 1932, in Rockford, IL, the third of four children born to Julia (June) and John E. Johnson. He married the love of his life, Anna Marie Dahmen, on February 5, 1955, and together they celebrated 61 years of marriage before her passing on August 4, 2016.

The couple raised six children, Jacquelyn (Randy) Walker, Sherri (Michael) Stark, Paul (Leah) Johnson, Diane (Steven) Nelson, Darren (Bernadette) Johnson, and Wayne (Michele) Johnson along with 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grand children.

Bob served in the US Air Force from 1949-1953 as a bomber group radio operator stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After his discharge, he served a cabinetmaking apprenticeship and became a member of Carpenter's Local 314 in Madison. He worked as a cabinet maker/carpenter for 44 years before his retirement in 1995.

After retirement, Bob's hobbies included attending his grandchildren’s various events, woodworking, traveling overseas, playing cards, golfing and bowling.

Throughout his life, he had a way of speaking love without words, but through his hands. How beautiful are the hands that serve, that fix what's broken, that build something from nothing, that pull you in for a strong reassuring hug. His hands were a source of comfort, strength, and generosity - always ready to help, hold and heal. Though they are now at rest, the love he built, the lives he touched, and the selflessness he carried will remain forever in the hearts of those blessed to have known him.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Richard (Beth) Johnson, his sister, Marjorie (Norman) Larscheid, and numerous close relatives. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, his sister, Kathleen Wheeler, sister-in-law, Helen Hurtgen, brothers-in-law Dick Dahmen, Bob Dahmen, and Lewis Dahmen, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to thank the loving and caring staff at Home Again Senior Living in Waunakee for their wonderful care of “Grandpa.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of Bob’s favored charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Boys Town.

Bob’s services will be held at 11:00am at St. Dennis Parish, 505 Dempsey Rd, Madison, WI 53714, on Saturday, March 22nd. A Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00am until the time of service. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park.

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

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N Sherman Ave

608-249-8257