By Julie Huebel, Pierce County Historical Association

ELMWOOD, WI – I initially started down the road of this family because I thought we needed a family with Norwegian roots to cover so I picked a surname with “son” in it, which is usually a marker of a Scandinavian family. I quickly found that this family wasn’t Norwegian at all, but I thought it was an interesting story to tell since I am so fascinated with the history of surnames. I am actually familiar with the area in the “old world” that they emigrated from since it was very near where my Huebels came from and I was lucky enough to visit the area in 2019.  More on where they came from in a bit.

J is for Johnson…Don Johnson, was an Elmwood School District mainstay for many years in the maintenance department. Don was born in 1937 in Elmwood to Carl and Alma (Reitz). Don married Avis Hansen in 1957 and settled in Elmwood; he retired from the School District of Elmwood in 2000. Don’s father Carl Johnson was born in 1914 in River Falls Township. He would marry Alma Reitz in 1936 and settled in Elmwood and in his early days worked for the Madson Sawmill in Spring Valley and then for 32 years worked in maintenance at the Elmwood Creamery.

Carl’s parents were Albert Johnson and Stasia Kordosky; Albert was born in an area of River Falls Township referred to as Cherma in 1885. Many of the people that settled in Cherma came from the Czech Republic, which is named for a town many of them came from, Čermná.  But their name is Johnson? Well, their original last name was Jansa, which is the Czech equivalent of Johnson. (Fun Fact:  in Czech tradition, a woman’s surname gets “ova” or “a” added to the end.  For example, I have a distant cousin in the Czech Republic and her husband’s last name is Woth and her last name is Wothova. She wasn’t thrilled with this tradition and expressed envy over me keeping my maiden name.)

Albert’s father, Frantisek “Blacksmith Frank” Jansa, Sr. (1839-1913) and mother, Theresa (Jansa) Jansa (1839-1924) were both born in the Czech Republic. Taken from Ed Langer’s notes online: “The Franz Jansa family from Čermná came to Watertown (WI) in 1867. ​The Jansas had brought with them only a small chest which contained some household articles and Franz’s blacksmith tools. The Jansas stayed with Mrs. Jansa’s aunt and uncle, the Johann Roffeis family, for about a week when they first arrived in Watertown, until Johann Roffeis found them a small house. ​​To help them set up their household, Johann Roffeis gave the Jansas a dozen eggs, a sack of flour and a rolling pin. ​​The furnishings in the Jansa house were simple: an oven, boxes for chairs, their chest and bed. ​​The bed was a box filled with straw and covered with blankets. ​​From these humble beginnings, Franz Jansa was able to dramatically increase his standard of living. ​​ He worked as a blacksmith in Waterloo and Marshall, Wisconsin for 11 years, saving $3,000.00, after which the Jansas moved to Cherma in Pierce County, Wisconsin and bought a farm.​​”

Blacksmith Frank’s parents were Joseph Jansa (1805-1874) and Rosalie Hrabel (1809-1872/3).

Submitted by Sarah Weiske, Director of Development, United Way St Croix and Red Cedar Valleys

HUDSON, WI – Give Big Valleys, presented by United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys (UW Valleys), is proud to announce the incredible success of its 2025 community giving event on April 29, 2025. This year’s 24-hour, virtual campaign raised an impressive $344,960 in support of 82 nonprofits across Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix Counties, including Western Wisconsin Health and Staying Put. With 885 donors stepping forward, the campaign once again demonstrated the generosity and community spirit that define Western Wisconsin.

What is Give Big Valleys? Give Big Valleys is an annual online giving campaign that brings together local nonprofits, supporters, donors and businesses for 24 hours of philanthropy. Hosted by United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys, we aim to help bring awareness to the nonprofit needs in the community while providing a space that makes giving easy and exciting!

“Give Big Valleys is more than a fundraiser, it’s a reflection of the heart and strength of our communities,” said Steve McCarthy, UW Valleys Executive Director. “Together, we’re making a real and lasting impact for the nonprofits that serve our region every day.”

The funds raised will directly support organizations working in areas such as human services, education, healthcare, the arts, housing, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and more.

Give Big Valleys was made possible by the combined efforts of donors, nonprofit organizations, and a strong network of community sponsors:

Valley Leaders: St. Croix Valley Foundation and WESTconsin Credit Union.

Civic Leaders: Hiawatha National Bank, First State Bank and Trust, Royal Credit Union, and Xcel Energy.

Civic Partners: Cardinal FG Menomonie, Noah Insurance Group, First National Bank of River Falls, Security Financial Bank, and St. Croix Valley Elder Law & Estate Planning.

Civic Supporters: Burnett Dairy Cooperative, Homestead Veterinary Clinic, Leadholm Insurance Agency.

UW Valleys extends sincere thanks to every donor, volunteer, sponsor, and partner who contributed to the success of this campaign. “When we Give Big, we build stronger communities, together,” said McCarthy.

United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys (UW Valleys) fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Western Wisconsin. UW Valleys is committed to improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties. Through strategic partnerships and impactful initiatives like Give Big Valleys, UW Valleys helps address critical community needs and create lasting change.

To learn more visit uwvalleys.org. Thank you!