Delphine R. Johnson, fondly known as “Mrs. DJ”, of River Falls, WI, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2018 at Comforts of Home in River falls, at the age of 98. She was born on December 24, 1919 in River Falls to Leo and Mable (Dean) Armbruster. She was the oldest of nine children. Delphine graduated from River Falls High School and went on to earn two Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. On February 10, 1943, Delphine married her childhood sweetheart Paul H. Johnson. They were married for 60 years until Paul’s passing in January 2003.

Delphine was an educator for 43 years. She spent over 30 years at the Hudson School District, first teaching 7th and 8th grade English, and then as a counselor at the Junior High School. She was even named the Wisconsin School Counselor of the Year in 1986. Delphine was incredibly proud of her service as an educator, and even after she retired she continued to substitute teach for the River Falls District for years. Delphine often said that helping her students grow and develop a passion for learning was the best thing she could have done to serve the community she loved. She believed that “Every student is good at something,” and that it was her pleasure to help each student discover what that something was. She will be missed by her family, friends, and the many students she touched over the years.

Delphine is survived by her son, Thomas (Barbara) Johnson, daughter Kathleen Zahler, and grandchildren Kristin (Cole) Larrieu, Jeffrey (Kirsten) Zahler, and Amanda (Benjamin) Hoyt, sisters Elaine Johnson, Georgine (John) Moelter, and Sharon (Robert) Bruegger, brothers Leroy (Donna) Armbruster, Gerald Armbruster, and Dean Armbruster. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents, her sister Mildred Winger, infant sister Mable Frances, and brother-in-law Delbert Johnson.

To honor Delphine, a Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 225 S. 3rd Street in River Falls, with Rev. Fr. Jerry Harris officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior. Memorials may be given to St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. Delphine will be laid to rest at St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery in River Falls.

Services are in the care of the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of River Falls, WI. 715-425-5644 www.oconnellbenedict.com