Sam Johnston passed away at his home in Sun City West, AZ on May 13, 2017. He had lived there just a month but found the sunshine and warmth he was seeking and, as he put it, his last adventure. He was born on June 13, 1929, and grew up on a farm near Aztalan, WI. With five brothers he had fun catching muskrats and fishing on the Rock River. Sam loved the outdoors. Sam valued education and, when his older brother left home, so did Sam's transportation to Lake Mills High School. So he left after his junior year, worked for a year and bought a car, then went back to school and earned his high school diploma. After graduation Sam enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1948 and was trained as a Senior Aircraft Technician. He served in the Korean War and was stationed in England and Germany. He was honorably discharged in July of 1952. In 1957, he married Darlene Rink from Beloit, WI, and together had three children. They later divorced. Sam was an employee of Western Electric and then AT&T as an analytic technician until retiring in 1987. He didn't sit still for long, however, and built himself a home in McFarland, WI. Along the way he met his companion, Dianne Schumann, and, upon her retirement from teaching, they relocated to Post Falls, ID and lived there for seventeen years. While a member at Calvary Lutheran Church in Post Falls, he was dedicated to service and used his energy to beautify the church fellowship hall and library. He labored in the church garden, hauling produce to the local food bank. He enjoyed trimming the rose bushes and helping with church dinners and the booth at the county fair. Sam will be remembered as a good neighbor, always lending a hand when needed. He loved his birds and faithfully fed and watered them. He was happiest caring for his yard, trimming trees, pruning roses and mowing the grass, and then, beer in hand, enjoying the sunlit corner under the oak tree. He took delight in his daughter and grand-daughter whether building snowmen or taking hikes. His love of the outdoors included hunting, boating, fishing, and golf, and in his prime, downhill and cross country skiing. As he advanced in age he longed for more sunshine and in April 2017 he and Dianne moved to Sun City West, AZ where the day before he died he enjoyed a round of golf! Sam is predeceased by a son, Eric; and a daughter, Tracy; a sister, Violet Dole; and three brothers, James, Edward and Robert. He is survived by his daughter, Janet Holtz (Dan); granddaughter, Dana (David); companion, Dianne Schumann; and two brothers, Mike (Karen) Johnston and Glen (Marge) Johnston. Sam is a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Post Falls where he has many friends. A memorial service will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park, 401 Femrite Dr., Monona, WI, on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr., (608) 221-5420