Edgar "Bob" Johnson

Edgar Gene (Bob) Johnson, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of July 16 after a four-year battle with cancer. Born on the home farm to Alfred and Josie (Kolstad) Johnson on January 22, 1938, Bob was the third oldest of six children.

In his younger years, he attended the Norden Country School which was just a mile away from the farm. He often spoke about how one of his school chores was to bring in wood for the fire, especially during the cold Wisconsin winters. Later, he attended Mondovi High School with the class of 1956 and continued to enjoy their camaraderie at reunions through the years.

On June 13, 1959, he married Barbara Back, and to this union three children were born: Mark, Scott, and Kimberly. They later separated.

Bob was known for being a hard worker, and that was demonstrated through the various positions he held in his lifetime. While farming was his first and earliest passion, he also worked at Durand Canning Co. in Mondovi before taking up a variety of construction jobs at Ramisch and Devney Construction. Later, he began farming full-time and managed the family’s dairy operation for many years before working for American Materials and the Town of Naples as their patrolman. In addition, he and his brother Arthur ran Johnson Bros Custom Services Inc.

Though Bob officially retired after working for the Township, he couldn’t stay away from the farm life and enjoyed helping out James Tweet at Tweet Farms and Albion Grain, where he spent his time hauling grain, planting, harvesting, and doing fieldwork. He and his “partner in crime” John Kramer put many miles on their semi-trucks and were quite the dynamic duo when filling and emptying the trailer.

In 2002, Bob purchased a Honda Gold Wing 1500, transformed it into a trike, and hit the road to travel the country, loving riding so much that he traveled to all 48 contiguous states. He and his partner Ginny belonged to numerous cycle clubs, as well as the Gold Wing Touring Association. They traveled to many rallies across several states, where Bob enjoyed meeting new people, including fellow rider Jerryl Vonderheid, who later gave Bob the nickname “Git ‘er done Bob.”

Years later, Bob met Tim Jackson at a campground, and the two became fast friends and riding buddies, hitting the road and attending more rallies together. At the age of 84, he decided it was time to sell the trike and was thrilled when Tim decided to purchase it, knowing that it would continue to receive the care it had been given for 20 years prior.

Bob also enjoyed International Harvester Farmall tractors and was an avid collector of over 50 diecast pieces of both tractors and equipment. He even purchased a Super MTA Farmall of his own and often drove it in parades, to fall festivals at church, and on tractor rides.

Though Bob certainly enjoyed his rides and his toys, he was also a devoted and caring grandfather to five grandchildren and later one great-grandchild. He was immensely proud of them and their accomplishments, and was present at countless graduations, sporting events, band concerts, and more.

Bob will be remembered for his outgoing personality, infectious laugh, and ability to make others smile.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Walter and Arthur Johnson, sisters Mary Ann Thompson and Jane Thorson, sister-in-law Delores Johnson, and brothers-in-law Paul Weishaar and Stanley Thompson.

Bob is survived by his significant other, Virginia Zittel; children Mark (Kay) Johnson, Scott (Christine) Johnson, and Kimberly (Ricky) Pax; grandchildren Spencer (Kathryn) Johnson, Sawyer (Elizabeth) Johnson, Marissa Pax, Zachary Pax, and Karter Johnson; and one great-grandson, Theodore Johnson.

He is further survived by his sister Judy Weishaar (Tom Casey) and brother-in-law Tom Thorson, Barbara Johnson, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the team at Lily Hospice for their wonderful and compassionate care in Bob’s final days.

Friends and family of Bob are invited to a visitation held at Talbot Family Funeral Home, Mondovi, WI on Monday July 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. A celebration of life and memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church of Norden on Tuesday, July 22, at 1 p.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Share memories and condolences at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com