RIO - Donald T. Johnson, 84, a long time resident of Rio, passed away Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, in Waunakee.

He was born April 12, 1925, in Leeds, to the late Theodore and Josephine Gunderson Johnson. He was a 1943 graduate of Rio High School and married JoAnn Kvale on Sept. 17, 1949, at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church in Keyeser. Donald was born and raised as a farmer. He lived out his life on the same farm and often helped harvest crops for his neighbors. A great joy in his life was being able to fix and repair things that neighbors brought to him whether it be a tractor, vehicle or whatever. He loved to tinker and fix things. Being a true farmer, he was a jack-of-all trades, being able to do carpentry, electrical work and plumbing by himself. He was baptized, confirmed and married all at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church in Keyeser, where he participated in a host of activities that included treasurer, church council, usher, choir, dartball league, advisor for Luther League youth group and was president of the church cemetery association. Besides farming, Donald had a love for music. Early in his life he studied voice at Madison School of Music and was greatly encouraged by the Lutheran Pastor's wife, Mrs. Naeseth, to continue. He continued singing by being a soloist at countless funerals and weddings, with his wife, JoAnn, often accompanying him. He would often times practice his singing while milking his cows. Donald belonged to the Norwegian-Grieg Chorus in Madison.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn of Rio and his four children, Debra (Ron) Reierson of Rio, Patricia (Jack) Tatzel of Lodi , Steven (Sheree) Johnson of DeForest and Betty (David) Hagen of Rio; 10 grandchildren, Beth (David) Laufenberg, Joanna Reierson and finance Jonathan Koehler, Scott and Eric Tatzel, Amy, Ryan (Sonja), Adam, and Cory Johnson, Tyler Hagen and Anna (Todd) Beck; four great-grandchildren, Ashley Laufenberg, Kelsey and Hunter Johnson and Presley Beck; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Jim Reierson, four sisters, Stella (Merrill) Vivian, Mildred (Gordon) Ohnhaus, Evelyn Lambrecht and Helen (Dr. E. Edward) Puls.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church in Keyeser, with Pastor Sylvia Lee-Thompson presiding. Friends may call on the family for visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church and one hour prior to services Friday. Interment will be in Spring Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in Keyeser. Memorials may be made to the family. Smith-Vangen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time.