Stanley Earl Johnson of Amery passed away on October 23, 2017. He was born to Severt and Clara (Rognaas) Johnson on November 9, 1930 at Dresser, Wisconsin, one of six children.

He was baptized at Our Savior Lutheran Church, where his mother played the organ for church services. Stanley had a wonderful singing voice even as a youngster, and sang for many services and weddings in Amery. Stanley was proud of his participation in the Amery high school choir and fondly remembered singing at St. Olaf when the school choir visited the college. He also earned honors at the State vocal contest.

After graduating from Amery high school, Stanley entered the US Marine Corps where he attained the rank of sergeant during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning home, he met a young girl and fell in love. On July 5, 1953 Stanley married Nancy Charlotte McKinstry. As part of the wedding ceremony, he sang "I Love You Truly" to her, and continued to sing it to her many times over the years.

Stan and Nancy bought a house in Minneapolis where the first three of their five children were born. Stanley worked at Honeywell for a time, before relocating the family to Milwaukee, where he worked downtown at the Boston Store as manager of the shoe department. Two more children were added to the family.

Always an avid fisherman, Stanley was active in the formation of the Okauchee Fishing Club. He loved to take annual trips to Canada, usually with his brother JP, to fish the Rat River. He also served on the church council at the House of Prayer Lutheran church, where the family were charter members. While at House of Prayer, Stanley was very active in the choir and often sang solos for church services.

After 14 years in Milwaukee followed by three years in Green Bay, Stanley fulfilled his dream of buying a business "back home" and bought the Lake Magnor Store in Clayton. He and Nancy worked very hard and grew the business from a mom-and-pop grocery store to a cheese/liquor/live bait/gas station. They enjoyed the friendship of many of the local folks as well as the summer/lake people.

During his retirement, Stan took up woodworking and became known as "Stan the $5 Birdhouse Man" for his bluebird houses which he built in his workshop. He was always building something, usually for Nancy to sell at craft fairs. Stan and Nancy spent many happy days sitting in their front yard, visiting with friends and family that would drop by the little house on Highway 8, where there was always coffee on. They loved to go dancing with their many "dancing friends" to Shoreview, Clam Falls, and other places. They were a beautiful couple to watch on the dance floor.

After Nancy's passing, Stanley moved to an apartment at Evergreen Village, where he re-kindled old friendships and made new ones. He was very proud of his entire family, and would enjoy holding court at Saturday breakfasts and Tuesday morning coffee time. He loved hearing about all his grandchildren, and his face never failed to light up when they would visit.

Stanley is preceded in death by his parents, Severt and Clara, brother John (JP) and sister Martha, and his beloved wife Nancy and a grandson, Jason Roberts. He is survived by his sister Louise, brothers Jim and Dick, and by his five children: Doug (Patti) Johnson of Amery; Diane Burritt of Amery; Denise Johnson of Amery; Dean Johnson of Amery; and Donnamae (Waynne) Bjurstrom of Reeve, who lovingly remember how he would always mix their names up because of all the "D"s! He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, October 27, 2017 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with Pastor Keith Ruehlow officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday at the Williamson-White Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church. A private family burial will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin at a later date.