Esther May (LaRock) Riedi Johnson, 100, of Eau Claire, passed away on September 8, 2015 at Lake Hallie Memory Care, Chippewa Falls. She was born on June 28, 1915, the daughter of Vela and May (Ackerman) LaRock. Esther went to the Fourth Ward School and attended the Campus School at the State Teachers College, through the sophomore year of high school. The LaRock family moved out to Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, in 1931. Esther married Alvin Riedi in 1932 and moved to Arcadia, Wisconsin. They had one son, Alvin Riedi, Jr. Her husband, Alvin died in 1935. Esther married Neiland J. Johnson on October 9, 1937. The family expanded to three sons. While raising the boys, they lived at the Abbie Hill residence for fourteen years and later had a duplex built of Goff Avenue, in which they lived in one side of the home and rented out the other side. Esther worked at Uniroyal Rubber Company making bullets during World War II. She also worked at the Co-op Shopping Center for fourteen years before retiring at the age of 62. Sewing, crocheting and knitting were also some of her favorite pastimes. She also loved growing Roses and other flowers in her garden. Taking care of her grandchildren was another favorite past time. Esther loved to travel with Neiland in their trailer and enjoyed going to their cottage on Lake Ojaski in Chetek. Esther was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Esther is survived by her sons, Alvin "Beaner" (Phyllis) Johnson of Chippewa Falls, and Meriland "Pearly" (Mary Lee) Johnson of Wausau; daughter-in-law Maxine Johnson of Cumberland; sister-in-law Avis LaRock of Eau Claire; and brother-in-law Phillip Kleist of Eau Claire; 9 grandchildren, Julie Anne (Burt) Peloquin, Michael (Judy) Johnson, James Johnson, Catherine "Carrie" Lee Johnson, Sandra Marie Mouledoux, Christine Johnston, Mary Louise (Tom) Roy, Charles (Susan) Johnson and Curtis (Peggy) Johnson; 22 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren with two more on the way; several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends Pat and Mary Beth Ingrouille and Edwin Olson. Preceded in death by her parents, first husband Alvin Reidi; husband, Neiland, of 75 years; son, Ronald Johnson; brothers, Harold, Albert, and John LaRock; sisters, Lucille Kramer, Rachel Vater, Mary June Felton, Doris Kleist; brothers-in-law, Art Eckert, Lester Johnson, Raymond Felton, Jack Vater, sisters-in-law Edith Eckert, Marie Johnson, and Eldora LaRock; a great-grandson Kristopher Rahr; a neice Joann Dimmers; nephews, Robert Kramer, Joseph Kramer, Eugene LaRock, Roderick LaRock, Larry Felton and Harold LaRock Jr. Esther was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grand mother, aunt and friend to all. Funeral services will be Monday, September 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 West Grand Avenue, Eau Claire. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery. Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home is assisting the family. To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com.

Service Information

Visitation

Monday, September 14 2015 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Grace Lutheran Church 202 W. Grand Ave. Eau Claire WI

Funeral Service

Monday, September 14 2015 11:00 AM

Grace Lutheran Church 202 W. Grand Ave. Eau Claire WI

Committal Service

Monday, September 14 2015 12:00 PM

Rest Haven Cemetery 5750 Old Town Hall Road Eau Claire WI 54701