David John Johnson was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, and friend. As a Child of God, he was welcomed Home on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the age of 84.
Dave was the fifth and youngest child of Victor and Agnes (Kordosky) Johnson. He was born on December 15, 1939, in Hastings, Minnesota and graduated from Hastings High School in 1957. On August 27, 1960, David and Rita (Hageman) were married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Hastings. They were blessed with six beautiful children: Brice, Lynn, Susan, Marc, Eric, and Scott; fourteen grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
Dave graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and pursued a 35-year teaching career in high school English (seven years in Plum City and 28 years in Spring Valley). While teaching, Dave was Junior Class Advisor, Yearbook Advisor, and he chaperoned many a prom. A life of faith, family, service, and fun was most important to Dave.
Dave and Rita grounded their family in a deep-rooted Catholic faith. For 54 years, Dave generously served the Spring Valley community in many ways, including: serving as a lay minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, cooking for the ecumenical community vacation Bible school “Caterers for Christ,” serving on the SV Library Board, and coordinating the SV Food Shelf. He and his good friend, Brian Kirby, were honored as Grand Marshals of the Spring Valley Dam Days parade in 2006. Dave loved laughing with his family and watching his children and grandchildren participate in forensics, sports, and theater. He enjoyed picking strawberries and blueberries for himself and others. Being skilled in the kitchen meant many tasty meals for family and friends. Dave and Rita enjoyed many trips together to Laughlin, Las Vegas, Red Wing, Turtle Lake, and Hinckley (for the buffets). He also loved playing cards, participating in golf league, taking family road trips to California, and enjoying beautiful landscapes (always looking for a Dairy Queen).
Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Agnes; brother Al and wife Pat; brother Vernon (Swede) and wife Dot; sister Mary Ellen Staiger; and son Brice David. He is survived by his loving wife, Rita; children Lynn (Karrie), Susan (Andy Losert), Marc, Eric (Kelly), Scott (Heidi); grandchildren Abby (Dan), Emily (Kevin), MaKenna, Taylor (Hunter), Erin, Mitchell, Anthony, Coleman, Mason, Avery, Nicholas, Nathan, Merrick, Isaac; and great grandchildren Nicohl, Charlotte, Oliver, Paul, Margaret; brother Thomas (Whitey) and wife Mary Ellen, brother-in-law Lloyd Staiger, and many other Hageman in-laws, relatives and friends.
A visitation took place at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Spring Valley, Wisconsin from 4-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 30. The funeral was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024, with a visitation one hour before the service and a luncheon following. A burial with family will take place at a later date.
We are all so grateful for the years and memories we had with Dave, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa. He will be deeply missed by those who have had the privilege to know and love him. We thank you for your thoughts, prayers, sentiments, and love. Our family extends a special thank you to the Spring Valley Area Ambulance Service, Spring Valley Health Care Center, the care teams at Menomonie Mayo and Luther Mayo in Eau Claire, Ross Keehr, and the Sacred Heart Parish Family.
Memorials can be designated to “Sacred Heart Youth Ministry” in David Johnson’s name.
