George Alvin Johnson, age 92 died peacefully on December 3, 2020 with his family by his side. George, born on September 9, 1928 in White Earth, North Dakota was the beloved son of George E. Johnson and Mary Christine Altenthaler. Much of his childhood and teenage years were spent in Oconto, Wisconsin, graduating from Oconto High School in 1945. In 1950 he enlisted in the Army and served his country overseas in Hanau, Germany with the 304th Heavy Ordnance Maintenance Company.  Upon discharge he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he would meet the love his life, Joan Johnson and begin his college education.  George and his family settled in Shorewood, Wisconsin where they lived for twenty years before moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1973. In August, George and Joan celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Educated at Marquette University and Michigan State University in Business Administration, he completed a successful career in mass marketing distribution in the food industry.  While at MSU, George edited the newsletter, The Innovator and later edited the Catholic newsletter, The Vine .

George enjoyed a number of hobbies including poker, cribbage and playing guitar but his greatest passion was poetry. Upon retirement he took the time to mentor young poets, leading seminars and poetry readings at local colleges and church parishes. George won many poetry awards through The Wisconsin Regional Writers Association and the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. He published his first chapbook Whistles in the Wind in 1997 which is now part of the collection of poetry in the National Library of Congress.

George is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Marie (Walters) Johnson residing in Green Bay, Wisconsin and six children, Kenneth Johnson of Shorewood, Wisconsin; Linda Johnson Boyle (Robert) of Green Bay; Kathleen Johnson of Green Bay; Steven Johnson (Kristine) of St. Charles, Missouri; Lisa Zeller (Peter) of De Pere, Wisconsin; and Scott Johnson of Appleton, Wisconsin. George is further survived by his grandchildren Christina Bunker Liddicoat (Jeff), John Michael Bunker (Hilary), Brett Schauer (Chelsey), Benjamin Schauer, Emilie (Mitchell) Melendy, Tyler Johnson, Colin Johnson, Nichole Johnson, Abby Zeller, Nate Zeller, Jackson Zeller, Stephanie Johnson, Kenny Johnson, Bobby Johnson; great-grandchildren, Brock Liddicoat, Grant Liddicoat, Jack Bunker, Mason Bunker and Isla Melendy. He is further survived by sister-in-law Joan (Schmidt) Johnson and brother-in-law Dr. Thomas Walters (Judy) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents George Edwin Johnson and Mary Christine (Altenthaler) Johnson of Oconto, Wisconsin and siblings Richard Johnson, Theressa Destache (Lee), Lawrence Johnson (Joan), and William Johnson (Clarice); Edwin Walters, father-in-law and Eleanore Walters (Koeppen), mother-in-law, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A socially distanced visitation will be held December 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Green Bay followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Masks will be required in the church. A celebration of George's life will take place this summer when we can all gather safely. Online condolences are welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com .

Pfotenhauer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

The Johnson family wishes to thank the staff at Bayshore Village in Green Bay for all their care and support.

George was an accomplished poet. We'd like to share one of his favorite poems written for Joan on their 25 ^th anniversary.

ANNIVERSARY

Whisper softly that you love me

Shatter not time's tinseled doors

Though the autumn rain falls lightly

Parched earth opens wide her pores

Tell me that you still remember

When volcanic rivers flowed

Fire-forming fields we laid in

While the white-capped mountains glowed

Walk with me again in silence

Through the waving winter wheat

Bursting buds of Green December

Summer's cycle made complete

Hold me tightly while you whisper

Shield me from the ageless fear

Vow again with fresh desire

To live and love another year