Verna C. (Loeffler) Johnson, 89, of Eau Claire, WI, passed away on May 8, 2026, in The Gardens at The Classic Hillcrest Greens, with her daughters by her side.

Verna was born in January 1937, to Frank and Agnes (Buskey) Loeffler and grew up a spirited farm girl outside Eagle Lake, MN. She shared country life adventures with her beloved cousins and extended family. Shortly after graduating from St. Clair High School, a vivacious Verna met the love of her life, E. Dewey Johnson. They married in 1956 and started their life together in Duluth, MN. With their family growing, they moved to Eau Claire, WI, where Dewey took a sales management position with The Maytag Co., and Verna ran the household. Eau Claire was her home for 66 years.

Verna was a homemaker extraordinaire, but also “filled her cup” by volunteering with the Eau Claire Service League, was a member of the social sorority Beta Sigma Phi, was instrumental in the opening of the permanent home of the Chippewa Valley Historical Museum, and an active parishioner at The Newman Center (Catholic) on the UWEC campus. After raising her daughters, Verna decided to stretch her wings and entered the workforce, eventually landing a position as a Senior Office Service Representative with Manpower Temporary Services. She had found her calling! She worked with community business owners, placing people in employment positions while making lifelong friends with co-workers and business associates. She retired in 1993 so she and Dewey could travel, which included trips throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. They also bounced around South Florida, as traveling snowbirds. After Dewey passed, she would accompany one of her best girlfriends’, Carol, to the Naples area for a few weeks here and there which she loved. In her retirement she also traveled to Germany with her sisters where they were able to connect with distant relatives.

Verna raised four daughters who were the center of her life. As her daughters grew into young women and eventually became mothers themselves, they became her best friends and, respectively, she became their “rock.” She loved being included on girls' trips that took them to New York City, Pittsburgh, California and, more frequently, Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids.

Verna had the gift of gab and loved to be around people. She had the art of conversation down to a T and had a way of making people feel good. She cultivated and maintained many friendships throughout all walks of her life. Verna had a great sense of style and learned quickly about “layaway.” Hair and beauty were a priority, always making sure her hair was done and her makeup, especially lipstick, was applied. She would not subscribe to embracing age and going grey! Dewey would always say to their girls, “Doesn’t Mom look beautiful?” Verna always welcomed their daughter’s friends into their home. In the summers during the 70’s, the driveway would be packed with kids and bikes. Christmas Day nights typically brought on a gathering at the Johnson house where the girls’ friends, even boyfriends from the past, would visit because they came to hang out with “Mrs. J.”

Verna was a homemaker in every way. She loved to decorate, her biggest project being the home she and Dewey built in the late 70’s. She loved to bake; her specialty in the grandkid years were frosted sugar cookies decorated with smiley faces, which were often mischievously snatched and quickly consumed. She loved a good party, she loved to dance and she was a longtime member of a gourmet dinner group in which festivities would often go late into the evening! She enjoyed going to jazz concerts and plays, and her favorite color was green. She was an animal lover owning many kittens and cats as a child and welcomed many dogs, guinea pigs and a rabbit into the family home. Verna had a great sense of humor and cultivated nicknames for everyone. She had a “lead foot” with the speed limits, was a daytime soap opera fan, created beautiful Christmas trees, learned to play Mahjong before it became the rage and made birthdays special. She doodled when she talked on the phone, and she loved to talk on the phone! Her life flourished when she became a grandma to 9 grandchildren. She adored them, and the feelings were mutual. One of her favorite Christmas gifts was the annual Christmas calendar the girls would have printed featuring a grandchild every month; the last calendar was for 2026, with the kids ranging in age from 15 to 32!

Verna is survived by her sisters, Velma (the late Ted) Bunne, Minneapolis MN and Deborah (the late Cal) Wedmore, Mankato MN; her daughters, Lori (Lars Runquist) Johnson, St. Paul, MN, Trudy (Don) Claassen, Cedar Rapids, IA, Joni (David) Fuhrer, Pittsburgh, PA, and Cari (Andrew Toutant) Johnson, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Sam, Max, Charlie, Karsten, Grace, Elsa, Anna, Drew and Simon; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, and her beloved husband, E. Dewey Johnson.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the compassionate staff at The Garden and St. Croix Hospice Care. Their loving care and attention to Verna was immeasurable.

The family will receive guests at 10:00 a.m., June 20, 2026, at Neuman Parish, at Newman Parish, at the Ecumenical Religious Center on the UWEC campus in Eau Claire. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., followed by a lunch reception at the church. Parking is available in the lot at Park & Garfield Aves. Lenmark Gomsrud Linn will be serving the family. Interment is scheduled for a later date.

In honor of Verna’s enduring legacy, contributions may be directed to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (www.curethekids.org), the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), or the Eau Claire Community Humane Association (www.eccha.org).