Victor E. Johnson

Victor E. Johnson, 86, of Platteville, formerly of rural Livingston, died on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at his home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at the Melby-Bendorf Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Rev. Greg Marsh will officiate. Burial will be at Rock Church Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Melby-Bendorf Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Southwest Health Center Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Victor was born on November 12, 1925 in Meade County, South Dakota, the son of Fridolph and Clara (Wassberg) Johnson. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth L. Johnson on June 12, 1954 in Livingston, Wisconsin. Victor was enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. He graduated from South Dakota State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He grew up in Western South Dakota where he worked as a telephone lineman in Rapid City from 1946-1948. After his marriage to Elizabeth, they farmed for 21 years in the Livingston area (1954-1975). He then taught at Southwest Technical Institute in Fennimore for 12 years (1975-1987).

He was a member of the Livingston Free Methodist Church, Gideons International, and the American Legion. He loved being outdoors, hunting, guns, horseback riding, and working the land.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; two daughters, Beverly Conner of Cottage Grove, WI; and Elaine Johnson (Suzan Crochet) of Overland Park, KS; one son, Jerry (Debby) Johnson of Normal, IL; six grandchildren, James Conner; Matt and Pete Lepley; Heather, Eric, and Hannah Johnson; one brother, David (Barbara) Johnson of Oakland, CA; two sisters, Edith (Charles) Culbreth of Atascadero, CA; Winifred (Bill) Wilson of Denton, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Eleanor, Marie, and Ruth; and brother, Clarence.