Ivan B. Johnson, age 84, of Stitzer, died on Thursday evening March 3, 2016 at Orchard Manor in Lancaster. Ivan was born on July 7, 1931 in Iowa County, WI the son of Bennie and Susie (Butson) Johnson. He married Carole Place on June 5, 1954 at the First English Lutheran Church in Platteville.
Following Graduation from Livingston High School in 1950, Ivan joined the US Navy serving during the Korean War from 1951-1953. After returning home, Ivan and Carole were married and together in 1961 purchased a farm in Liberty Township. Ivan was a very hardworking man and took great pride in his John Deere tractors and in taking care of the land he loved. In 1992, Ivan was honored to be named Grant County Conservation Farmer of the Year. Ivan and Carole moved to Stitzer in 1991, but he continued to help his son Kelly on the farm until selling in 1999. Ivan enjoyed talking to people, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and traveling. One his latest and most memorable trips came aboard the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2013. Ivan was a civic minded, kind hearted and generous man whose love of family, country and faith will be cherished forever.
Ivan is survived by his beloved wife Carole of Stitzer, three children; Joy (Jerry) Schewe of Platteville, Jill (Russel) Fritsch of Kiel, and Kelly (Brenda) Johnson of Maysville, IA, eight grandchildren; Tricia (Tim Lamers) Schewe, Heather (Dustin) Couey, Michelle (Paul) Fenrich, Derek (Amanda) Fritsch, Micayla Fritsch and Devin, Courtney and Kaci Johnson, three great-grandchildren; Lia and Cade Couey and Kingston Fenrich, sister June (Nelson) Richason of Galesville, sister-in-law Betty Johnson of Oak Park, IL, and brother and sister-in-laws; Marilyn (Virgil) Brodt of Fennimore and Robert (Shirley) Place of Livingston.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Johnson, and brother and sister-in-law Stanley (Lillian) Place.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday March 9, 2016, at the Stitzer United Methodist Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the Stitzer Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening March 8, 2016, at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday morning.