Larry J. Johnson
February 09, 1946 - February 18, 2025
Obituary
LODI - Larry J. Johnson, age 79, of Lodi, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. He was born on February 9, 1946, in Poynette, WI, the son of Howard and Violet (Priem) Johnson.
After graduating from Lodi High School in 1964, Larry proudly served our country in the US Army. He served from 1965-1967, spending a year in Vietnam.
He married Barbara Vorlander in 1969 at First Lutheran Church - Lodi. Larry and Barb were high school sweethearts and spent their lives together as best friends.
Larry was employed with Oscar Mayer for over 30 years, retiring in 2001. He was a former member of the Lodi City Council. After retirement Larry worked for the Lodi Parks and Harris Pharmacy. He was an active member of Dekorra Lutheran Church and the Lodi American Legion Post #216. Larry was a very proud Vietnam Vet. He regularly marched in parades, shared his experiences with 6th graders at the Lodi Middle School for Veterans Day and arranged honor guard for the funerals of fellow veterans.
Larry had a variety of interests including caring for his yard, gardening, watching the Packers, Badgers and Brewers, and traveling with Barb throughout the country, but he treasured most, spending time with his grandchildren and family. Larry especially enjoyed traveling around watching his grandchildren participate in concerts and sporting events. In his younger years Larry was an avid softball player, playing on teams for Fisk’s Tavern, Pit Stop and The Rustic Inn.
In addition to Barb, his wife of 54 years, survivors include his two daughters, Sara Jackson and Rebecca Smith; his son, Trevor (Shabvon); seven grandchildren, Zeke and Xander Jackson, Noah, Ella, and Sam Johnson and Owen and Emma Smith; his brothers, Dewey and Doug (Julie) Johnson; three brothers-in-law, Phillip (Linda) Vorlander, Bruce (Victoria) Vorlander, and Geoff (Jody) Vorlander; his sister-in-law, Claudia (Marc) Orvis; and other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene Fitzgerald; three sisters, Helen Fitzgerald-Molter, Darlene Fitzgerald-Schmidt, and Patricia Johnson-Gable; and his father and mother-in-law, Carl and Joan Vorlander.
Larry’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Lodi Police Department, Lodi Area EMS, Lodi Area Fire Department and Waunakee Area EMS for their life saving efforts.
Memorial Service will be held at DEKORRA LUTHERAN CHURCH, N3099 Smith Rd, Poynette, at 11:00 am on Saturday March 1, 2025, with Pastor Sterling Lynk presiding. Followed with Military Honors conducted by Lodi American Legion Post #216. There will be a luncheon at the church following the military honors. A private family burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Lodi, at a later date. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON LODI FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 157 S. Main St., Lodi, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025, and also at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service on Saturday.
For more information and online condolences please visit www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S. Main St.
(608) 592-3201