Obituary

Ione Johnson

Ione L. Johnson, age 91 died Sunday August 16, 2009 at Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire.
		She was born April 20, 1918 in Minneapolis to Rudy and Gladys (Michaud) Lee. In 1930 Rudy and Gladys returned to their hometown of Eau Claire where Ione would spend the rest of her life. She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1936 and was a lifeguard at Davis Beach on the eastern side of Dells Pond. She worked as a secretary for her dad at Lee's Building Specialties on Graham Avenue. They lived on Maple Street at the time, and on the pleasant days, Ione would walk home from work. One day she stopped at the A& P Grocery store on Bellinger Street to pick up a few things. She chatted with a cute guy who worked there and the next night she had her first date with Owen Johnson. It was May 17, 1937. Owen being half Norwegian always said "On that day Norway won it's freedom from Sweden, but I lost my freedom." They went to a movie and out for an ice cream sundae. For the rest of their lives, they always celebrated the anniversary of their first date.


Ione and Owen were married June 22, 1941. They had two daughters, Susan in 1944 and Kathryn in 1946. Ione was a stay-at- home mom. She didn't like to cook but insisted on a spotless house. Thankfully, her girls couldn't do it "good enough" so she did it all herself. During, her younger years she enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, Jaycetts, singing in the church choir, fishing, church group, golfing and hosting parties. She was a fearless woman. At the age of 40, after only having her driver's license for two weeks, she loaded her girls into the car and drove to the state of Virginia. She wanted the family to be there when Owen graduated from the University of Virginia School of Banking at Charlottesville. After her children were grown, she spent a lot of time helping others. She volunteered in several departments at Luther Hospital and worked at the Red Carpet, a gift shop, of gently used items with the proceeds going back to the hospital. She delivered meals on wheels for many years. Ione and Owen loved to travel and delighted in seeing most of the world. In later years they wintered at Lake Havasu City, AZ and enjoyed golfing and gambling. They loved to entertain. The coffee pot was always on in the morning and the bar was always open in the evening. They were great sports fans; especially of the Eau Claire Cavaliers, The Wisconsin Badgers, and of course, the Green Bay Packers. Going to the casino was Ione's greatest source of happiness in her last years. She "always won." Ione is survived by her daughters, Susan (Robert) Wayne of Durand and Kathryn (Dr. Robert) Johansen of Amery. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kathryn (Ron) Spindler of Milford, MI, Matthew (Amy) Wayne of Plum City, Peter Johansen of Austin, TX, Dr. Martin (Chelsa) Wayne of Durand, Dr. Michael (Amy) Johansen of Carmel, IN, Sarah (Justin) Gailey of Durand; Great Grandchildren include Rob and Jim Wayne, Joey and Abbey Spindler, Emma, Isabella and Elizabeth Wayne and Madeline Johansen; a sister in law, Elaine Johnson; and a brother in law, Walter Porter. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and Gladys Lee; her husband of 60 years, Owen in 2001; and her brother, Don. Also preceded by her mother-in-law, Kate Hedin, three brothers-in-law, Richard Johnson, Donald Johnson and Elmer Woodard; and three sisters-in-law, Lorraine Woodard, Loretta Porter and Theresa Johnson. Funeral services for Ione will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Avenue, Eau Claire on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon with Pastor Rolf Nestigen officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is serving the family. Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com.