Thomas Albert Johnson

Thomas Albert Johnson, 80, of Ellsworth died on Monday, March 27, 2023, at United Hospital- Regina Campus in Hastings, MN with his family by his side. He was born on November 22, 1942, in Red Wing, MN to Loren and Wanda (Billeter) Johnson. Tom attended Pepin High School, graduating with the class of 1961. He furthered his education by graduating from Dunwoody Technical College in Minneapolis. He had a lifelong career working for the Pierce County Highway Department as a welder, and as sign man.

Tom was a man with many interests. He was an avid angler, enjoyed camping, being outdoors, and tending to his gardens. He loved to travel; and he and Ruth enjoyed wonderful trips together with their good friends, Tom and Laura Jensen. For twenty plus years, he took great pleasure in spending time at his permanent campsite at Birchwood Beach campground on Spirit Lake and exploring the backroads on his scooter. Tom was well known for his culinary skills; he could cook about anything and loved it. Baking was not above him either, making the most amazing homemade pies. He loved to share his food with all his friends and family as often as he could. Not only was Tom known for his cooking, he was a jack-of-all-trades when it came to tinkering and fixing things. He was also an inventor of sorts; one of his more recent machines was “Tom’s Lifting Machine” a device of his own creation to move storage items to the shop loft. Tom was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved them dearly and enjoyed spending time with them.

Tom is survived by his loving partner, Ruth Weinberg; children: Carmen (Bill) Curti and Brent (Alicia) Johnson; step-children: Josh (Sam) Weinberg, Wendi Winkler, and Jenni (Kurt) Bechel; grandchildren: Reece Curti, Blake Curti, Chloe Johnson, Eli Johnson, Anna Johnson, Beni Bechel, Harper Weinberg, Kaydence Davis, and Hayden Davis; former spouse: Phyllis Johnson; siblings: Shirley (Neil) Bostrom, Bettie Swedien, and Sal (Jim) Larson; brothers-in- law: Richard (Kathy) Rice, and John (Jacquie) Rice, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law Jack Swedien, and great niece Kate Huppert.

A service for Tom will be at 2:00pm Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services: 130 N. Grant St. Ellsworth, WI 54011. A visitation will start at 12:00pm until the service.

Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com. 715-273-4421