Elvin Alfred Johnson

Elvin A. Johnson, 84, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, went to his Heavenly home on Monday, May 19th, 2025, at Froedtert Hospital’s Cardiac ICU in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Our family is deeply grateful to the nurses, doctors, and staff for their compassion and care during Elvin’s final days.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Calvary Chapel of Milwaukee, located at 7368 N Teutonia Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53209. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by the service at 2:00 PM, and a reception with food afterward.

Elvin is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Marjorie; their children: Lisa (David) Baldwin of San Diego, CA, Scott Johnson of Austin, TX, Shaun Johnson of Menomonee Falls, WI, and Josh (Meghan) Johnson of Milwaukee, WI. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Sage (Ryan) Olszewski, Dylan Johnson, Devin Johnson, Luke Baldwin, Will Baldwin, Caleb Johnson, Ethan Johnson, and Moriah Johnson; as well as his great-grandson, Marshall Olszewski. He is survived by his brothers, Harold Johnson and Victor Johnson; sisters: Elaine (Richard) Asmus, Sally (Fred) Treichler, and Linda (Gary) Johnson; sisters-in-law: Shirley Kuschel, Sandy Johnson, and Jan Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Elsie (Renstrom) Johnson; his brothers: Arnold, Elmer, and Glen; and his sisters-in-law: Dorothy Johnson, Judie Johnson, and MaryAnn Johnson.

Elvin Alfred Johnson (known as “Al” to his friends) was born on September 16, 1940, in Onamia, Minnesota, to Carl and Elsie Johnson, on the family farm. He was the fourth of nine children. Al graduated high school in 1959. After high school, Al began working for Fleet Wholesale Supply (later known as Mills Fleet Farm), hired by Stewart C. Mills Sr., the founder. Later, Al was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1969, attaining the rank of sergeant. He was in the signal core and was stationed on the DMZ in South Korea for a year. During his army career, he earned recognition as a sharpshooter. He spent his final two years of active duty in Appleton Army Reserve providing training for other recruits.

On March 21, 1964, Al married Marjorie Christianson in Aiken, South Carolina, and together they settled in Appleton, WI, to raise their four children. After his military career, Al returned to work at Mill’s Fleet Farm for a total of 48 years. During his time with the company, he worked his way up to store manager, then buyer, and eventually merchandising supervisor at the Appleton headquarters. He retired in 2008 to focus on his battle with cancer where he became cancer free by the end of that year.

Al was a warm, loving, and gentle husband, father, and friend. He enjoyed taking his wife, Marge, on many travel adventures, dining out with the family and friends, keeping meticulous records of everything, and attending church. For about the last 17 years, he enjoyed spending time with the Golden Corral gang of friends in Appleton. He loved attending the annual Johnson family reunions in Minnesota, where he could connect with his siblings, nieces, and nephews.

He loved driving, especially to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later, Austin, Texas, to spend time with his son, Scott’s family. In recent months, Al was blessed to spend three memorable months in California with his daughter, Lisa’s family, visiting theme parks, the San Diego Zoo, and making lasting memories with his grandsons. He returned to Milwaukee where he and his wife lived with his youngest son Josh’s family to enjoy the simple pleasures, including visits to Dairy Queen, the library, and meals at Park Place Restaurant with his other grandchildren.

Al will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but we take comfort in knowing he accepted Jesus as his Savior. We look forward to being reunited with him in Heaven, where he now enjoys the eternal life promised to those who believe.