DORIS JEAN (HOEFT) JOHNSON
DORIS JEAN (HOEFT) JOHNSON
Doris Jean (Hoeft) Johnson, 89, passed away Sept. 18, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI, surrounded by her loving family.
Doris was born April 20, 1935, in Racine, WI, to parents Albert and Alene Hoeft, the youngest of three children. Doris graduated from Racine Washington Park High School in June 1952.
On Aug. 15, 1953, Doris became engaged to the love of her life, Thomas (Tom) Johnson. Doris continued working at SC Johnson while Tom served in the U.S. Army in Germany for the next two years. Upon Tom’s return, the couple married on June 23, 1956, at Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Racine and went on to enjoy over 60 years of marriage. Together, they raised three children and made many memories on family camping trips, vacations and while supporting their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s many activities. Doris and Tom loved to square dance and Doris sewed all of her own beautiful dresses.
Due to a job relocation in 1975, the family moved to Plymouth, MI, where Doris worked in sales at the Observer-Eccentric newspaper for over 20 years. Doris and Tom returned to Wisconsin in 2003 to reside in Black River Falls.
Doris enjoyed a wide range of interests, including reading, watching true crime stories and classic movies, crocheting, baking and cheering on the Green Bay Packers and her favorite PGA players. She enjoyed many vacations in Florida, where she loved to search for seashells and watch the dolphins. She had a love for maps and geography. She also took great pride as the family historian on all key dates and events.
Doris was a very loving, kind and generous wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Julie (Jon) Warmke of Black River Falls, WI; son Timothy (Mary Vidosh) Johnson of Rochester, MI; and son Steven (Gail Himelhoch) Johnson of Holly, MI; grandchildren Jennifer (Christopher) Taylor of Shakopee, MN, Joshua Warmke and Jeffrey Warmke of Burnsville, MN, Brendan Johnson of Rochester, MI, Brittany (fiancé Jon Oakley) Johnson of Sterling Heights, MI, and Casey (Madalyn Priem) Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO; great-grandchildren Maddy, Ellie and Logan Taylor of Shakopee, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters Ruth Sheriff and Lois Kanetzke; and all her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Funeral services for Doris Johnson will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Black River Falls, WI, with visitation to be held from noon until time of service. Pastor Jennifer Hatleli will officiate. Burial will follow at Little Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Doris’ life with a luncheon at the church.
Torgerson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.