COTTAGE GROVE - Noel Allan Johnson, age 83, of Cottage Grove, Wis., passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025.

Noel was born in Madison, Wis., the son of Henry A. and Ann (Midthun) Johnson. He grew up on the east side of Madison and graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1959. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy where he served as chaplain’s assistant (because he could type). After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1962, he sold insurance for a while and drove truck for Nabisco. He met Barb in 1963 and they were married in 1964. They had three children, Allan, Julie and Andy.

Noel owned and ran the Mobil Gas Station on the corner of East Washington and Highway 51 and the Texaco station on Atwood Avenue. He drove city bus for 52 years at Madison Metro. Most of that time, he drove the Arbor Hills route. His regular riders became the Arbor Hills Bus Buddies many of whom have remained his friends for all these years.

When Noel wasn’t driving bus, he was remodeling something, fixing something or rebuilding cars. He remodeled places in Cottage Grove, DeForest, Morrisonville, Madison, Rockdale and who knows where else.

Noel’s biggest project and legacy is the Johnson Building on East Washington Avenue in Madison. Originally it was the Hoffman House Sauce Plant. Noel purchased the building with two other friends. Over the years, he bought out his partners. Noel and his children remodeled it into an apartment building.

Noel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barb; three children, Allan (Kathy) and grandson, Reed; Julie and Andrew; brother-in-law, Bary Bothun; cousins, nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and many friends including one special friend, Bonnie Wallander; and cat, Midnight. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ann; brother, Harold (Janet); sister, Darlene (Gerald) Good; parents-in-law, Wilmer (Mush) and Laura Bothun; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Bothun; and cousin, Sadie Herr.

A funeral service will be held at HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3702 County Highway AB, McFarland, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A graveside service with military honors will follow at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK, 401 Femrite Drive, Monona, at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. A luncheon will follow back at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post No. 501, 105 Dempsey Road, Madison, WI 53714 or Hope Lutheran Church in McFarland.

Noel’s family would like to thank all the health caregivers who took care of and put up with him while he was ill. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Noel Johnson

December 18, 1941 - February 28, 2025

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