MADISON - Dorothy E. (Sherry) Johnson, age 99, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born in her grandfather’s (the Rev. D. T. Borgen) parsonage on March 10, 1924, in Viroqua, Wis., the daughter of Carl and Ruth Sherry. Raised on tobacco farms, she graduated from Westby High School in 1941. She then took a train to Chicago and enrolled in Lutheran Deaconess Nursing School and Hospital.

Working as a registered nurse, she met her husband Robert “Bob” Johnson, when he was a patient. Bob married his “Queenie” on Sept. 15, 1945, and they settled in Chicago, where Karolyn and Kathryn were born. They moved to La Crosse in 1950 and welcomed a son, Karl. In 1955, the family moved to Milwaukee for 10 years and then in 1965, made their final move to Madison. Dorothy continued her 40 plus years as an R.N. along the way, retiring from Madison General Hospital. She was a member of the Waunona Way Garden Club and the Bethel Lutheran Church Women’s Circle and Couples Club. Mom’s “Pride and Joy,” Bob, died Christmas Eve 2012, and daughter, Karolyn, December 2021.

Dorothy was a testament of the strength of her generation, by contributing hard work and dedication to her nursing profession, providing a loving and faith-based home for her family, and enjoying the blessings in life along the way.

Dorothy is survived by her two children, Kathryn Winch and Karl Johnson; grandchildren, Jessica (Joseph) Rucka, Denese Johnson, David (Sara) Johnson, Laura (Cliff) Rucks and Janelle (Matthew) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Sienna Rucka and Kyle Rucka, Owen and Elliot Johnson, Ingrid and Robert Rucks, and Natalie Johnson; daughter-in-law, Cheri Johnson; sister-in-law, Ruth Sherry; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; daughter, Karolyn (Wayne) Johnson; in-laws, Minnie and John Johnson; brothers, Reuben (Ann), Paul and Richard; and a nephew, Steven Sherry.

A funeral service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, with the Rev. Jeffrey Quinto and the Rev. Kenneth Schaub presiding. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. A luncheon will follow the service at the church.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Waunakee Valley, Agrace HospiceCare, and Dr. Clevidence for all of their wonderful care and support given to Dorothy.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Dorothy E. (Sherry) Johnson

March 10, 1924 - December 03, 2023

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