Daniel W. Johnson

Daniel Warren Johnson was with his beloved wife of 56 years as he peacefully passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2008, after a long battle with COPD. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, a role model of compassion, and tower of strength to his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends.

He was born on August 7, 1928, in Racine, WI, to Marie and Edgar Johnson (nee: Friedrich). He married Margaret Stueber on September 13, 1952.

A life-long resident of Racine, he was a dedicated Boy Scout with troop 31, and eventually became an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Park H.S. in 1946, he joined the United States Marine Corps, and served aboard the U.S.S. Philippine Sea, until 1948. In 1952, he graduated from UW-Madison, and attained his master's from UW-Milwaukee in 1964. He was a probation and parole officer, Vice-President of Planning for the United Way of Racine, and the Executive Director of the Racine County Planning Council for Health and Social Services. Later, his greatest career rewards came from teaching at Dominican College and Gateway Technical College until his retirement in 1996.

He served the city of Racine as Alderman of the 11th district from 1965-1969, and was on the Board of Directors for the Racine Public Library, and Safety Building during their construction. An active Rotarian, he became a Paul Harris Fellow. After retirement, his greatest commitment, and pride and joy, was caring for his wife.

Never without a dog at his side, he personified the expression “Man’s Best Friend.” An avid reader all his life, he passed his love of literature on to his children and all who knew him. His entire life he took great pleasure in walking. Stage by stage, in a period of over 4 ½ years, he accomplished the journey from the city of Chicago to the tip of Door County. Later in life, you would find him walking at the mall. There, the one message he would send to anyone who would listen was, “Look at me, stop smoking now!”

Surviving are his loving wife Margaret Johnson; daughter Susan (Michael) Parker; son, Daniel C. Johnson; brother Robert (Mary Ellen) Johnson;, sister Jean Ketarkus; grandchildren Jennifer, Luke, and Benjamin Adams; close friends and family, niece Cecilia (Ray) Johnson, Thomas Adams and Jodi Johnson.

Visitation with the family will be from 10:30-11:30, followed by a Memorial Mass at St. Lucy’s Church, Drexel Avenue, on Friday, September 19, 2008. Donations to Orphan Kanines and Hospice Alliance have been suggested instead of flowers.

The family would like to extend their heart felt thanks to the staff at Harmony Commons and Hospice for their compassionate care.

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
4600 County Line Rd., Racine (262) 552-9000