Carol Y. Johnson

Carol Y. Johnson, 76, of La Crosse, passed away at her home on Tuesday, May 12, 2015.
She was born in the Town of Fountain in rural Juneau County, Wis., on February 13, 1939, to Donald E. and Honora Lavon (Shaffer) Kish, Sr.
Carol graduated from New Lisbon High School in 1956. Upon graduation, she moved to Milwaukee where she worked for Schlitz Brewing Company. On June 14, 1958, she married Alan Johnson. They were married thirty-four years.
Carol raised her family in Menasha, Wisconsin. She worked as a subrogation specialist at Secura and as a legal secretary prior to that. She established many life-long friendships while living in Menasha.
In 1998, Carol moved to La Crosse to be closer to family. She built a community of dear friends through church, volunteering and, especially, Bridge. She played with fierce competition and acumen even through her treatment for cancer. Carol was also crowned the “Reigning Scrabble Champion” by her family.
Throughout her life, Carol enjoyed spending time with friends, family gatherings, traveling and gardening. She also enjoyed reading and was a life-long learner. Carol’s family will greatly miss her spontaneous and creative spirit, her laughter and her generous love.
Carol is survived by her daughters, Kim Johnson and her husband, Steve Schunk, of Cross Plains, Wis., Lori Johnson-Lunney and her husband, Pat Lunney, of Onalaska, and Darcy Johnson Skibba and her husband, Don Skibba, of La Crosse; and ten beloved grandchildren, Rollie and Daniel Johnson-Schunk, Dylan, Rachel, Aaron, Hannah, Isaiah and Pearl Lunney, Andy Skibba (fiancé, Carrie Wagner) and Cory Skibba. Carol is also survived by a sister, Diana Granger of Mount Vernon, Wash.; a brother, Dennis (Beverly) Kish of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister-in-law, Sherry Kish of La Crosse; and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Donald Kish, Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 18th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse. Rev. Harald Bringsjord will officiate. A reception will follow the funeral at the church. Burial will take place in the Ranney Hustler Cemetery in Hustler, Wis. Family and friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Memorials on her behalf may be sent to Gundersen Hospice, 1900 South Avenue IRC-002, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Carol’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the physicians, nurses and all medical staff at Gundersen Health System. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Hospice and the caring individuals and friends who provided support so Carol was able to remain in her home.