Ronald A. Johnson

Ronald Allen Johnson, age 73, of Bruce, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 22, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ron was born on November 16, 1952, to Bertha and Melvin Johnson in Chicago, Illinois, where he grew up with his brother and sisters. He very proudly served in the United States Navy on the USS Constellation. He married Jacqueline Juedes and settled "in the sticks" in Bruce, Wisconsin, where they raised their family. A talented mechanic he worked for many years in Bruce for Betley Courier before being called up to the big time at UPS in Rice Lake, where he worked nights for the remainder of his career.

Ron's life was a full one, in the early days providing for and making memories with his family. Camping trips, cross country treks and legendary summer vacations, baseball games and cross country meets, everything he did was centered around family. When he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 40 the activities changed, but the things that mattered did not. While MS claimed his legs, nothing could touch his sense of humor and positive attitude that he carried with him until the very end. Everyone in Bruce surely at one point had seen Ron out and about in his power chair with the bright orange vest (safety first!) and he made many, many friends along the way. We are so grateful to all the members of the community who welcomed him as he passed by for conversation, and occasionally a helping hand as sometimes he went "off-roading" and found himself in precarious positions.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie, of Bruce, Wisconsin; his son, Adam Johnson (Kristen) of Plainfield, Illinois; his daughter Heidi Hulwi (Tony) of Trussville, Alabama; his 7 grandchildren, Ellie, Abbie, Riley, and Brady Hulwi, and Harper, Amelia, and Spencer Johnson; sister Shirley Guy (Phil) of Lilburn, Georgia, and brother Les Johnson of DePere, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marilyn Sparks of Mahtowa, Minnesota.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses, doctors, and staff at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis for their guidance, kindness, support, and loving way in which they cared for Ron before he passed. They are angels in disguise. They truly were his second family.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St Mary's Catholic Church in Bruce with Fr. Ed Anderson and Deacons Doug Sorenson and Craig Voldberg celebrating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM at the church. Burial will follow in the Bruce Cemetery with military honors provided by the Bruce American Legion. Friends and family are invited to the church hall after burial.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.