Ralph Willys Johnston

HOUSTONRalph Willys Johnston, 95, a lifelong resident of Houston, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2015 after a brief stay at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab. He was born on a farm in Swede Bottom on September 8, 1919 to Irving and Ethel (Anderson) Johnston. The family moved to a farm in Perkins Valley the following spring. After renting for five years, they returned to Swede Bottom and purchased the farm. Ralph attended Swede Bottom School and graduated from Houston High School in 1936. He went on to attend the University Farm School for 1 year, and then began farming with his dad. He married Thelma Morken in Houston on March 19, 1949. They were blessed with 5 children, Marsha, Ruth, Steve, David, and Susan. Ralph was very active in the community, serving on the Houston School Board for 6 years, the Tri-County Co-Op Board for 15 years, and the Houston-Money Creek Co-Op Board in his later years of farming. After retiring in 1996, Ralph and Thelma moved into town and sold the family farm to their son David.Ralph is survived by his wife Thelma (Morken) Johnston of Houston, his five children, Marsha Johnston of Minneapolis, Ruth Johnston of St. Paul, Steven (Karen Cegelske) Johnston of Minneapolis, David (Tammy) Johnston of Houston, and Susan (Jay) Kaskel of St. Paul; three grandchildren, Melissa (Dylan) Burrow and Alison (Nick) Culhane all of Houston and Carson Kaskel of St. Paul; three great grandchildren, Tucker, Shelby Cora, and Saleen Burrow, all of Houston. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Ruby Swenson and Lois Christensen. Funeral service will be at 11am, Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church with the Reverend Lane Zaffke officiating. Burial will follow at Stone Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at 10am until the time of the service. Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - Houston is assisting the family. All memorials should be directed to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston or Gundersen Hospice of La Crosse, WI. Please share a memory of Ralph, sign his online guestbook and view his entire life story and video tribute when they become available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/578602