PAUL JOHNSON

Paul Richard Johnson, 71, of Appleton, WI received perfect healing as he was welcomed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on August 18, 2022 after fighting a courageous three-year battle against brain cancer.

Paul was born in Winchester, Wisconsin on December 17, 1950 to Richard and Grace (Mikkelsen) Johnson. He graduated from Winneconne High School in 1969 and married Greta Van Oudenhoven, the love of his life two years later. He and Greta would have celebrated 51 years of marriage on August 20th. In 1974, Paul earned his BS in Modernization Processes with a concentration in Social Change and Development from UW-Green Bay and went on to careers in environmental engineering and safety management with Neenah Foundry, Banta, James River, and Megtec before retiring in 2014.

Paul was a devoted and loving husband and father who cared deeply for his family. He loved being a dad–reading “Uncle Wiggily” bedtime stories to his children, helping them with homework, spending family time outdoors – camping and downhill and cross-country skiing – and giving the best advice and hugs. He was a music enthusiast and introduced his daughter, Addie, to his favorite bands of the '60s. He surprised her with a song he wrote for their father/daughter dance at her wedding. He served as scout master for his son Riley's Boy Scout troop and supported him as he earned his Eagle Scout Award.

Paul was also an amazing grandpa to Viggo (17), Bella (14), and Judah (9). He loved making memories with them.

Paul loved being active and was always up for mental and physical challenges. He and Greta built three homes in Winchester and have helped their family and friends with countless building and remodeling projects. He loved biking and rode thousands of miles with his “Geezers with Gears” group. Last summer, he planned to bike 1,500+ miles from Minneapolis to Yellowstone to raise funds for Hope Lodge, which provides free housing to cancer patients at Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately, a new tumor prevented him from completing his trek but with his passion for fellow cancer patients, he raised over $5000 for the Lodge. He and Greta have been in volleyball, bowling, dart, golf, and pickleball leagues. He made a “Hole-In-One” at Winchester Hills Golf Course in 2005 and he and his friend Doug won the 65+ Palm Creek Pickleball Tournament just three years ago. Paul loved playing poker with his buddies, playing games, debating the Bible in his “Bible and Beers” group, and reading Stephen King and Kurt Vonnegut novels. He had perfected the art of popping popcorn, waffle making, and telling Dad jokes. He cared deeply for the environment and supported those causes. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester.

After retirement, he and Greta traveled throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, and Israel. They became snowbirds – RVing with friends to either Arizona, Florida, or Texas.

Paul is survived by his wife, Greta; their daughter Addie (Tim) Sorbo and their children Viggo and Bella of Green Bay; their son Riley Johnson, his fiancé Madeleine Knowles, and his son Judah of Appleton; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard ‘Dick' and Grace Johnson; in-laws, Eugene ‘Gene' and Blanche Van Oudenhoven; as well as a sister and brother-in-law.

When Paul received his diagnosis in September 2019, he told us he didn't want a sad funeral, but rather a fun, celebration of life party with the song “When I Get to Heaven” by his favorite artist, John Prine played.

When I get to heaven
I'm gonna shake God's hand
Thank Him for more blessings than one man can stand
Then I'm gonna get a guitar
And start a rock-n-roll band
Check into a swell hotel
Ain't the afterlife grand?

… Yeah this old man is goin' to town

A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, August 26, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 8396 Steeple Hill Drive, Winchester. A celebration of life service will follow the visitation at 3:00 p.m. at the church. The family would like to thank the staff at Mayo Clinic, Hope Lodge, and Theda Clark for their excellent care and compassion.