George Richard Johnson, 76, a lifelong Oulu and Maple, Wis. resident, died peacefully surrounded by his family, Fri., Oct. 7, 2011 in the Miller-Dwan Medical Center, Duluth, Minn.

He was born in Superior, Wis. on Sept. 9, 1935 to Lina (Niemi) and George T. Johnson and was a1953 graduate of South Shore High School. He served his country for two years with the U. S. Army.

For eight years George was a merchant marine sailing on the Great Lakes. He later was employed at Kapus Erickson in Superior for twenty-one years as a transmission repairman.

He loved spending time outdoors, using the sauna and being with his faithful companion, Clyde, his dog. He had a great sense of humor and told it like it was. He was a very giving man to family and friends who will be sadly missed by all.

On July 12, 1958 he and Patricia Ellen "Pat" Ukkola were united in marriage. She preceded him in death on Oct. 27, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruth Maki; and two nephews, Billy Maki and Raymond Soyring.

George is lovingly remembered by three daughters, Sandy Bristol of Garland, Tex., Debby (Gary Nelson) Smith of Solon Springs, Wis. and Karen Johnson of Iron River, Wis.; four grandchildren; sister, Eleanor Pellman of Brule, Wis. and his
twin sister, Gladys "Liz" (Ernest) Pellman of Maple; grandchildren, Amber, Michael, Carter and Tanner; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until his 11:00 a.m. memorial service with
Rev. Sarah Kerkes officiating on Sat. Oct. 15th in the Downs Funeral Home Chapel, corner of Ogden Ave. & 19th St., Superior. The committal prayers will be held at the Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery in Maple, where Military Honors will be accorded by the Bong-Hofstedt American Legion Post No. 409.