Willis Johanningmeier
Willis Werner Johanningmeier, 95, of Monona died Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Great River Care Center, McGregor. Funeral services were held Friday, October 21 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona. Burial followed at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Monona.
Willis was born July 14, 1921 to William and Johanna (Wagner) Johanningmeier in Clayton County. He attended country school through the eighth grade. Willis was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona.
Willis was united in marriage with Gertrude Hertrampf in 1940 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. Gertrude passed away in 1956. July 4, 1959, Willis was united in marriage with Mildred Schlitter at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Mildred passed February 21, 1999. During the past 15 years, Willis shared his life with his special friend, Frances Rothmeyer.
Willis lived and farmed in rural Monona his entire life. He was always looking for new ways to do things. He was the first farmer in Allamakee County to build bench terraces and was a pioneer in converting to a milking parlor system and to hog confinement. Willis loved grubbing trees with his Cat and blasting stumps to clear more land. He was constantly remodeling or building something. When finishing a day of work, every tool was in its place and no machinery was left out.
Willis was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He served on the church council. Faith was an important part of his life and he kept the Sabbath holy. He was accepting of what life brought his way.
For several years, Willis enjoyed serving on the REC board, which involved traveling and meeting new people. When meeting someone for the first time, they left as friends.
Willis and Mildred enjoyed many winters in Texas, Florida and Arizona. They liked bowling, fishing, gambling, playing cards, and shuffleboard. When Willis retired, he took up golf, gardening and restoring antique tractors. When tractor rides became popular, Willis joined in. He liked adventure and new things. He spent a month in Alaska and tried deep sea fishing. A highlight of his life was the two mule rides down the Grand Canyon with family. Willis enjoyed driving fast, wearing bib overalls and having a good Copenhagen chew. He was a man on the move.
Willis lived from the heart, loved his family, was a hard-working farmer and had a special fondness for children with all the joy they brought with them. We were blessed to have him in our lives.
Willis is survived by his five sons, Duane Johanningmeier of Monona, Dean (Barb) Johanningmeier of Cross Plains, WI, William (Sally) Johanningmeier of Monona, Dennis (Candy) Schlitter of Prairie du Chien, WI and Robert (Lisa) Johanningmeier of Monona; five daughters, Sharon Bruening (special friend, Darrell Rogness) of Monona, JoAnn (John) Eadie of Swisher, Elaine (Kerry) Melcher of Monona, Judy (Dale) Goeke of Waverly and Susan (Brian) Murphy of Waukon; 30 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Maloy Johanningmeier of Prairie du Chien, WI; one sister, Betty (Henry) Kleinow of Prairie du Chien, WI; many nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Frances Rothmeyer of McGregor.
Willis was preceded in death by his first wife, Gertrude; his second wife, Mildred; his parents, William and Johanna; his son-in-law, Don Bruening; a great grandson, Chad Johanningmeier, Jr.; three brothers, Carl, Lloyd and Palmer Johanningmeier; and one sister, June Schriver.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Willis’s honor may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona. Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona assisted the family with arrangements.
