Barbara Johnson

Barbara Jean Johnson, age 84 of Waupun, joined her heavenly home on January 12, 2024, after a lengthy battle with dementia. Barb was born on February 20, 1939, at the Belanger Family Settlement outside of Bayfield, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Felix and Charlotte (Belanger) King and granddaughter of the settlement founders, Frank and Elizabeth Belanger. She attended Catholic grade school and after moving to Washburn as a young girl, graduated from Washburn High School in 1957. She was united in marriage to Dennis Johnson on February 7, 1959, in Washburn, Wisconsin.

After moving to Waupun in the early 1960’s, Barbara worked various part-time jobs in the area, but focused primarily on raising her children. She enjoyed her time spent with family who will remember her sweet and loving personality. She found enjoyment in cooking and her family misses her homemade rye bread and pancakes! In her free time, she loved searching for and collecting unique treasures and antiques.

Barb is survived by her husband, Dennis Johnson of Waupun; children, Mark (Brenda) Johnson of Fond du Lac, Darlene (Rick) Schmid of Mukwonago, and Laura (Duie) Schelter of Waupun. Grandchildren include Erik (Amanda) Johnson, Andrea (Matthew) Peebles, Curt (Melissa) Schmid, Tyler Schmid, Morgan (Jacob) Jesko, Derrick Schelter, and Brianna Schelter. Great-grandchildren include Carter, Everett and Allison Johnson, Ezra Peebles, Carter, Clara and Caden Schmid, and Emma Jesko. She is also survived by her last sibling Doris (Earl) Innis of Two Harbors, Minnesota, and by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Francis (Ann) King, Mike (Doris) King, and Felix (Lois) King and sisters Leona (Bill) King, Betty Morrin, Kathryn (Norman) Roberts, Charlotte Fischer, and Cecelia (Roger) Niemisto.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Waupun Christian Homestead Memory Care facility for the loving care she received the last eight years, as well as SSM Hospice Care. In accordance with Barb’s wishes, a simple service will be held for immediate family officiated by Chaplain Dennis Overlien on Tuesday, January 16, at Kohl’s Funeral Home in Waupun.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to Waupun Food Pantry, 12 South Mill Street, Waupun, WI 53963.