DOLORES MAE JOHN-SON

DOLORES MAE JOHNSON

     Dolores Mae Johnson (Hardwick) was taken to her eternal home June 7, 2023.

     Dolores was born Oct. 21, 1928, to Clarence and Nellie (Squires) Hardwick in the rural Neillsville area. She was the third of four daughters. Her father was an itinerant farmhand, necessitating frequent moves and school changes during her younger years. During WWII, the family moved to Milwaukee so her parents could assist in the war effort by working in the factories. After the war, they returned to the Humbird area where Dolores graduated salutatorian in the class of 1946. While working as a waitress in the local cafe, she met Lloyd Johnson and was later married to him Jan. 18, 1947. They moved to Neillsville for employment opportunities, were established and started their family. Dolores worked at the Auto Test, Stienie’s Club 10 and later at the Fireplace Supper Club. She had fond memories of serving the famous band leaders after they finished playing at the Silver Dome Ballroom. The Count Basie Orchestra was just one of several. In 1957, she started her 36 and a-half years of service with the Memorial Medical Center (MMC). She began as a nursing assistant and later moved to an office position; from there, she was promoted to the assistant financial officer before retiring in 1993. She will forever be remembered as one of the several extraordinary women who made MMC a great hospital. 

     Dolores had a tenacious “can-do spirit,” which proved to be very valuable when her husband developed kidney failure resulting from juvenile diabetes. Dolores learned how to perform the dialysis treatment and was able to safely do it in their home until Lloyd received his kidney transplant. Dolores and Lloyd enjoyed traveling together, making it to several states including Alaska, Hawaii and a cruise to the Bahamas during their 32 years together. Dolores’s most cherished times were spent with her family and friends. She was a very generous person and loved to bake, frequently for bake sales and as gifts to others. Her kitchen wall was a display of hundreds of cookie cutters, one for every occasion. She was a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the local PEO. 

     She is survived by her son Lloyd (Kim) Johnson; daughter Susan (Dick) Backaus; grandchildren Jeremiah (Amy) Johnson, Jesse (Theresa) Johnson, Jaci Siebert, Sam ( Kristin) Siebert, Whitney Siebert, Jamie Feely, Julia (Eric) Backaus, Laura (Mike) Wetle, Emily (Sam) Zastrow and Joe (Janella) Ratsch; great-grandchildren Neva, Finn, Odin and Abram Johnson, Ophelia and Atticus Siebert, Makaya Wagabaza, Abigail, Jesse, Jarus and Maria Backaus, Brooklyn Wetle, Evie, Jack, Jake and Max Zastrow and Emma Ratsch; two step-grandchildren, Sterling (Courtney) Backaus and Bryce (Wendy) Backaus; great-great-granddaughter Reyna; great-great-grandson Daxtyn; stepbrother Melvin Rupnow; and several nieces and nephews. 

     She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; daughter June; parents; step-father; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy (Ernest) Amport, Erma (Jack) Lancaster and Phyllis (Clarence) Burchell; stepbrother Chuck (Gloria) Rupnow; stepsister Ginger Rupnow (Melvin’s wife); half-sister Bertha (John) Correll; brothers and sisters-in-law Allen (Marjorie) Johnson, Lyall (Margaret) Johnson Linda (Clarence) Krause, Donald Brandt, Delbert Johnson and Keith Noah. 

     For years, Dolores enjoyed the company of a dear friend and his family, Ralph Finnegan, who died in 2008. 

     A celebration of life will be held at the UCC at a later date. 

     Memorials can be given to The Highground Memorial or the UCC. 

     Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.