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Emma M. Johnson

1913 - 2009

 

Emma M. Johnson

Onalaska, Wis. - Emma M. (Goll) Johnson, 95, most recently of Onalaska, Wis., a native of Klemme, died Wednesday (Sept. 23, 2009) at Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis., under hospice care.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, 313 E. Elder St., Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman will be officiating. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Andrews funeral Home, 528 East Main St., Klemme, and continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. The family suggests those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Emma's name consider Immanuel Reformed UCC Church in Klemme, the Klemme Library, Opportunity Village in Clear Lake, or to a charity of their own choice.

Emma Meta Goll, the daughter of Gottlob and Augusta (Schlawin) Goll, was born Dec. 22, 1913, on the family farm in Avery Township, Hancock County, six miles east of Klemme. Emma was baptized at the UCC Church in Klemme in 1914, where she was also confirmed. Emma's mother died on Jan. 30, 1921, when Emma was seven years old. In 1922, her father married Sarah Thiemann.

In her early childhood, Emma attended Hancock County rural schools. During this time of her life, one of Emma's favorite outings was to spend time at "stone hill," where she would enjoy the solitude, flowers and birds.

In 1924, her father moved the family into Klemme. Gottlob was employed as the janitor at the church and Emma would often assist him in his cleaning and maintenance duties. Emma attended Klemme Schools and graduated from Klemme High School with the class of 1932. Emma was active in her church and 4-H and participated in a state fair competition.

After graduating, Emma went on to study at Iowa State Teacher's College, and then taught rural school for 4½ years east of Klemme.

On Feb. 14, 1937, Emma was united in marriage to Leroy C. Johnson at the parsonage in Klemme. Following the couple's marriage, they farmed and raised their family east of Klemme. Their union was blessed with a son, Gordon, in 1940 and two daughters, Maurine in 1942 and Melva in 1943. Emma and her husband and children moved into town in 1956.

After their move to Klemme, Leroy was employed as a livestock buyer for 20 years. Emma resumed her education through Mason City Junior College where she received her associate of arts degree in 1959. Emma then continued her career as a teacher in the fourth and fifth grades at Klemme Schools, where she taught until her retirement in 1974. She received her BA degree from Drake University in 1970.

In addition to her love of teaching young people, Emma was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She relished times spent with her family. Emma enjoyed family trips, excursions to the county fair, fishing outings with her husband, Leroy, holiday gatherings, and family picnics. Emma also enjoyed caring for the livestock during their years on the farm, her pets and gardening. She was an excellent cook and her children and grandkids fondly remember "Grandma Emma's" delicious homemade apple pies, chocolate chip bars, and her roast beef dinners. Emma knew local history well, and loved sharing the story of Klemme with her family and friends. She was a meticulous writer and rarely missed sending a card with a personal note for the special events in her family's lives. She was an avid Bible reader, and had been active in church throughout her life. Emma was a loving caregiver during the 5½ years of Leroy's illness prior to his death in 1989.

Emma was a dedicated supporter of the Klemme community. She served for many years on the Klemme Library Board, various church committees and in the Garden Club.

After Leroy's death, Emma traveled with her family throughout the country. She experienced her first plane ride at the age of 72. Emma moved to the Prairie View Apartments in 1998, where she resided until 2007. At that time, due to health issues, she moved to Onalaska, Wis., to be near family where she lived until her death.

Those left to cherish the memory of her life include her son, Dr. Gordon (Joan) Johnson, LaCrosse, Wis., her daughters, Maurine (Don) Kramer, Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Melva Johnson, Cedar Falls; a sister, Elizabeth Hinrichsen, Rock Falls; nine grandchildren, Sonia Kramer (Steve) Cvitanovich, Darla Kramer, Kara Kramer (Gregg) Hudson, Susan Johnson (Dan) Leifer, Sara Johnson, Kristin Johnson (Joe) Hoeth, Scott (Heidi) Dorr, Michelle Dorr (Randy) Carris and Shawn Dorr (Mike) Krenz; 12 great-grandchildren, Megan, David, Peter, Katherine, William, Joey, Kody, Zachary, Jackson, Sophie, Emma and Zach; also five nieces, Lillian (Wille) Blau, Beulah (Goll) Hummel, Arlene (Wille) Kaduce, Dee (Hinrichsen) Pearce and Sandy (Hinrichsen) Wyborny; and numerous other extended
family and friends.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; father, Gottlob; her mother, Augusta; her stepmother, Sarah Theimann; her brothers, Paul and Alvin Goll; her sister, Edna Wille; brothers-in-law, Carl Wille and Don Hinrichsen; sisters-in-law, Erma and Golda Goll; and her nephews, Jay Hinrichsen and Lyle Goll.

Andrews Funeral Home

source: Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, 27 Sep 2009, page A10, column 1

 

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