Myra B. Johnson

Myra B. Johnson, 83, of Onalaska died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse and woke to eternal life in the arms of her Savior.

She was born October 14, 1938 at her family home in La Crescent, MN, which is still standing today, to Horton and Doris (Wolff) Frauenkron. She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist church where she taught Sunday School and served as the Sunday School secretary. Myra graduated from La Crosse Central High School, class of 1956. She married Donald V. Johnson Sr. on March 2, 1957 in La Crescent, MN. She was a longtime member of St Paul Lutheran Church in Onalaska.

Myra’s life seemed to revolve around serving others. Besides her most important roles of being a wife and mother, Myra devoted her time, talents, and treasures to many groups and organizations over the years, most - but not all - involving church affiliations: Luther High School Auxiliary, Women in Christ, Lutheran Girl Pioneers, Creative Hands, First Lutheran Mother’s Club, Organization of Wisconsin Lutheran Seniors (OWLS), and Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS). Myra served many years as an officer or leader for most of these groups. Some of her favorite memories are from helping with the costumes for the Federation of WELS Churches participation in the Rotary Lights La Crosse nativity diorama. She wanted to make sure all the ‘actors’ stayed warm with lots of layers to wear. She’d say, “I can’t act, but I can keep track of the costumes!” She also thoroughly enjoyed her time as a volunteer with Good Steward Resale Shop, especially her “Monday nights with Patti” (Vigness). Myra’s volunteer hours eased the tuition burden for many Luther High School students over the years. Prior to her time with Good Steward, Myra was instrumental in operating Turnaround Treasures, a resale shop open from 1993-1998. Many, many fond memories are from the National LWMS bus trips. She thrived on the camaraderie and general excitement of getting to and from these conventions, making sure all were entertained and taken care of.

Other places Myra served: Holmen Hustlers 4-H Club Foods & Nutrition leader, Mobile Meals on Wheels volunteer, Food Basket donations, La Crescent Historical Society, and just helping others in general. Myra loved to give to those in need. From gathering food and clothing to finding free car tires and providing rides, Myra was there.  When we serve others out of love for what Jesus has done for us, God is pleased.  Well done, good and faithful servant!

Besides church groups and 4-H, the family were members of the Tri-River Community Broadcasters CB Club. In the world of Citizen’s Band radio, individuals have a handle (name). On a family trip out West, Myra was pulling a 19 foot Pathfinder travel trailer with a Mercury station wagon and the entire unit ended up headed east in the westbound lanes - leaving all kinds of skid marks - after trying to merge from a wayside. That’s how she got the handle Skidder. Most of her life, she was on-the-go and ‘skidding in’ just in time, so it was a good fit. Catch ya’ on the flipside, Skidder! (Translation: we’ll see you in heaven!)

Myra is survived by her children, Doris (Steve) Pertzsch, Donald (Annette) Johnson Jr., Dawn (Tom) Dixon, Denise (Tim) Pralle, and Daniel Johnson. Her grandchildren include Doris and Steve’s children Rachel (Brian) LaMantia and Joshua Pertzsch, Don and Annette’s children Jeremy (Karilynn) Johnson, Jenny (Nate) Bacon, Lindsay (Darius) McAboy, and Ashley (Keith) Nash, Dawn and Tom’s children Brittany Faye, Nicole (Matt) Moon, Jarrod Dixon, Dominic (Nicole) DePaolo, Marcus (Kali) DePaolo, and Alysha Dixon, Denise and Tim’s children Gabriel Pralle and Damien (Cassie) Pralle, and Dan’s son Christopher Johnson. Great grandchildren are Jeremy and Karilynn’s children Evyn, Adeline, Evelyn, Dietrich, and Roland, Jenny and Nate’s sons Garrett and Edmund, Ashley and Keith’s daughter Abigail, Brittany’s children Devon, Makenzie, and Kaitlyn, Nicole and Matt’s children Bradley and Katie, Dominic and Nicole’s children Mindy and Reese, Marcus and Kali’s sons Luca and Micah, and Gabriel’s daughter Parker.

Myra is also survived by her sister, Mary Brudos, a brother-in-law, Arlan Gilbertson, and a sister-in-law, Lois Johnson, many Johnson-side nieces and nephews, plus many, many Frauenkron cousins, kith, and kin. Myra was a dear Godmother to Deb (Frauenkron) Craig, Julie Brudos, Roxanne nee Farnum, and LaVern Gady. She is further survived by her childhood friend and LaVern’s mom, Anna Gady. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, brothers-in-law Clifford Johnson and Ralph Brudos, and sisters-in-law JoAnn Friar and Leona Gilbertson.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 30th at St Paul Lutheran Church, 1201 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Dan Olson will officiate. Burial will take place in Money Creek Cemetery in rural Houston, MN. Family and friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to St Paul Lutheran Church in Onalaska, Good Steward Resale Shop, Luther High School, the La Crescent Historical Society, or the organization of the donor's choice. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Homes, Onalaska, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com.