Eugene "Butch" Johnson

Eugene F. “Butch” Johnson, 77, passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Bethany Riverside in La Crosse principally due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on Nov. 17, 1941, at St. Anne’s Hospital in La Crosse to Lawrence and Mary (Becker) Johnson. He grew up in La Crosse and attended Aquinas High School where he met the love of his life, Ruth Ann Abnet.   They were married on July 7 ^th , 1962 at the Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent, Minn. With the new (current) church still under construction, their ceremony took place in the school’s gymnasium with the alter located under a basketball hoop!

In his early career, he worked in a variety of sales positions in La Crosse, one year in Byron, Minn., and four years in Prairie du Chien, Wis., before returning back to live in La Crescent.   Butch eventually found his niche as a sewing machine mechanic in the area, including at ORC Industries and La Crosse Footwear, plus working independently.   “Gene” always took a great sense of pride being able to assist those in need with this service for as long as his health allowed.

Butch also took satisfaction for his service with the La Crescent Auxiliary Police (especially the weekend ride-alongs), and being a long-time member of the Crucifixion parish, including with the Knights of Columbus.   He was always willing to lend a hand for church or community events in subtle ways.

When grandkids came into the picture, they couldn’t have been happier! Butch and Ruth bought a camper and the adventures began.   They really enjoyed those camping trips or any time spent with the grandkids.   Grandpa was quick-witted and loved to play silly jokes with the kids which usually ended with a big laugh from all.   There was never a dull moment when Grandpa was around, plus he always had a stick of gum when you needed it.

His retirement with best friend Ruth had many highlights. Butch and Ruth especially enjoyed when grandkids occasionally spent weekends with them, plus relished another opportunity of holding a babysitting “job” for a few of the Great Grandkids for 3 days a week lasting for several years.   It absolutely cannot be understated how much they truly cherished every minute of that time spent with them!

Another highlight was being able to do some travel, including bus trips to places like Branson, Mo., and New York City.   They also made it out to California to visit family a few times.   Their annual getaway to Boyd’s Resort in northern Wisconsin was something they looked forward to every year.   They loved it so much they invited the family along to share in the experience.   Fishing, puzzles, feeding the deer and Family Time were the highlights of those vacations. Attending shows at the Heider Center, the La Crosse Community Theater, and in the Twin Cities were also special events.

Butch will always be remembered for his generosity, patience and, of course, his quick-witted humor.   He was an easy-going guy who could strike up a conversation with anyone whether he knew you or not.   He enjoyed learning new things about people and places and took pride in knowing and remembering the people he met over the years.

Eugene is greatly missed by wife Ruth, and their children, Chris Johnson of La Crescent, Amy (Mark) Shanley of La Crosse, and Collin (Barb) Johnson of St. Charles, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Michael (Jenny) Shanley, Tom (Becca) Shanley, Barb (Kory) Kolb, Erin (Chris) Ditscheit, Kayla Sullivan, and Miranda and Austin Johnson; plus twelve great grandchildren, Forest, Paige, Sadie, Gracie, Mattie, Kaisen, Lexi, Kamdyn, Kyeten, Eliana, Josephine and Natalie.

Also surviving are siblings, Arlene Falk and David (Jaci Pfaff) Johnson; sister-in-law, Marcia (Neil) Jennings; brother-in-law, Leonard Wieser; Ruth’s sister, Sharon Pilger; and many nieces and nephews. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Gerald (“Jerry”) Johnson, and a sister, Joan Wieser.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 3, 2019, at the Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent.   Rev. Gregory Havel and Deacon Gerald Trocinski will officiate.   Burial will follow in the Crucifixion Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services at the church.

The family would like to publicly thank those at the Mayo Clinic Health System, including the 9-Center staff plus those with the Hospice team, and at Bethany Riverside, especially the hands-on staff who exhibited “hearts of gold” while caring for Butch during his declining health.

We celebrate the legacy of Eugene Johnson in our own lives and ostensibly can see in his Grandkids today many of those traits he has passed down.