HOWARD L. JOHNSON, 85, formerly of Eau Claire, WI died Saturday, November 8, 1997 at his home in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He was born in Eau Claire on July 28, 1912 to Richard and Bessie (Cass) Johnson. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School with the Class of 1931.\r\nHoward married Wilhelmina K. Anderson on May 30, 1934 in Eau Claire. She died on Sept. 11, 1988. He married Lorraine Hylland in Rapid City, SD, on October 3, 1992.\r\nHe worked at Uniroyal in Eau Claire retiring as personnel manager in 1974 after over 30 years of service.\r\nIn Eau Claire, he was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Moose Lodge #1408, Sanctuary Lodge # 347 F&AM, and the Scottish Rite Valley of Eau Claire. Howard played with numerous old time and polka bands since he was a teenager. He had formerly been a member of the Polka Mass Band where he played his banjo, the Consistory Choir, Eau Claire Male Chorus and barbershop quartets. \r\nSurvivors include his wife, Lorraine; three sons, Gary (Margaret) of Elk Mound, WI, Lee (Kris) of Fort Wayne, IN and Jay (Judy) of Denver, NC; a daughter, Susan (Wesley) Knettle of Eagle River, WI; eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clyde (Jerry) of Peachtree, GA, and Russell ((Patricia) of Eau Claire, a sister, Myrl Rowan of Milwaukee; many nieces and nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence; a grandson, Bradley; and a brother, Eugene.\r\nFuneral Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, at Grace Lutheran Church, Eau Claire with Pastor Howard Fehr officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Gardens Cemetery, Town of Washington. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud Funeral Home,Eau Claire and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the Church. There will be a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

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