Kenneth Axel Johnson, age 81 of Rhinelander, passed away on May 22, 2010, while under the care of Ministry Hospice. He was born on May 4, 1929, in Jeffris, Wisconsin (now known as Bundy) to August Olof and Jennie Davida Johnson. Ken worked for 44 years as a press scheduler and foreman at Daniels Packaging Company. He loved nothing more than a good laugh and was often referred to as the "Lone Ranger" at work for his habit of walking the plant telling and collecting jokes. He was also known to many as "Swede" or "Sven" because of his pride in his 100 percent Swedish heritage from the Varmland region (which he once described as the "Ozarks of Sweden"). Ken served for two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean War, during which time he attained the rank of corporal and bought himself his first guitar. Ken taught himself to play and especially loved the music of the Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, and Hank Williams; his children remember many family songfests through the years. Ken was an avid collector, restorer, and trader of antique car parts and restored four Model Ts. He had very fond memories of years spent touring and driving in parades with Rhinelander's Antique Car Club, of which he was a charter member. He also enjoyed listening to WXPR's Saturday bluegrass show and stations from the Upper Peninsula for Sunday morning polka fests. In his later years, he took up woodworking and bestowed many lawn ornaments, bookcases, and other treasures on family and friends. He also loved wandering through his "back 40" inspecting his various stashes of odds and ends. Nothing gave Ken more joy, however, than his ten grandchildren, in whom he took the greatest pride and delight. Ken is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary; his daughter, Rita (Jim) of Buffalo City; three sons, John (Carla) of Eau Claire, Tom (Diane) of Port Washington, and Paul (Amy) of Rhinelander; ten grandchildren, Mary, Lindsay, Randi, Markus, Arik, Payton, Jenna, Annika, Sidney, and Sophie; and a brother, Evert Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Elin (Richard) Stockhouse; and two brothers, Carl (Helen) and John. A visitation in honor of Ken's life will he held at the Carlson Funeral Home (369-1414 / www.carlsonfh.com) of Rhinelander from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May, 28, 2010.
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