Passed away on Sep 1, 2009

Roger Donald Johnson, age 81, of Black River Falls, died peacefully Tuesday, September 1, 2009 in Black River Memorial Hospital. under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice.Roger was born on April 22, 1928 in Black River Falls to Helmer V. and Olga (Olson) Johnson. He was raised in Black River Falls. He served in the U.S. Army as an Artillery SGT from 1952 to 1954 and was stationed in Korea for 16 months during the Korean War. During this time he earned a Korean Service Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, A National Defense Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal, along with a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle on April 13, 1953 in Punchbowl, Korea. Roger married Priscilla Ann Sholes in 1951 in Angola, Indiana. The couple lived in Black River Falls most of their married lives. As a young man, he was employed by Bruce VanGorden and Jerry Hoonsbeen at the downtown Texaco station. He also owned and operated Roger’s Texaco station on German Hill for several years. For 16 years, he was employed by Inland Steel at the Jackson County Iron Mine. He also had been employed by Hoffman Construction, Fort McCoy (roads and gardens), and by a front end alignment shop in La Crosse.  Roger loved deer hunting in the woods along side his family on the Olson Farm in Melrose. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, carpentry and woodworking. He enjoyed sharing fishing secrets with his grandchildren MacKenzie and Danielle. He dearly loved his family. Survivors include his wife, Priscilla; a daughter, Julie (Tom) Koenig of Fond du Lac; 3 sons, David Johnson and Michael (Debra) Johnson both of Black River Falls, and Douglas Johnson of Melrose; 7 grandchildren, Kelly Cormican, and Eric, Casey, Travis, Megan, MacKenzie, and Danielle Johnson; 2 great grandchildren, Ayden and Morgan Fowler; 2 brothers, Bruce (Laurna) Johnson of Hudson, WI and Fred (Dixie) Johnson of Louisiana; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Olga Johnson; a daughter, Vicky Lynn Johnson; an infant sister, Joanne Carol Johnson; and a brother, Duane Johnson. Private Family Graveside services, with full military honors, for Roger Donald Johnson will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.