Donald Paul Johnson, age 86, of rural Whitehall, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 6, 2024 in the Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse.

Donald was born on January 26, 1938 in Whitehall to John and Stella (Hanson) Johnson.  He married Ann Anderson on February 1, 1964 in Whitehall.

Donald enjoyed farming at an early age and continued throughout his life.  To assist other farmers, he hauled their milk to market.  Going to auctions was one of his great loves, if only to enjoy camaraderie of his peers.  After retirement, he and Ann enjoyed traveling which took them to almost every state in the U.S. They also traveled international to Germany and Austria.  Donald always asked a lot of questions to find out how others lived on their travels.  On a trip to Canada he enjoyed the fishing while his wife stocked the refrigerator with beer.  Donald was excited to watch wildlife in his yard and also on his legendary "short-cuts" of the countryside.

Donald was a lifetime member of our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall.  He also served as a past board member for the Town of Lincoln, Farm Bureau and Beef River Equity.  He was a member of the Beaches Corner Tractor Club of which he enjoyed the club rides.

Donald Is survived by his wife, Ann; two children, Duane  of Whitehall and Marlys (Keith) Leque of Ettrick; four grandchildren, Kayla (Tyler) Anderson of Grantsville, UT, Joshua Nelson of Ettrick, Krystal Johnson of Galesville and Debbie (Jason) Einwich of New Lisbon; two sisters, Doris Anderson and Janet Helstad both of Blair; three sisters-in-law, Linda Olstad of Black River Falls, Sonja (Gary) Cooke of Mondovi and Becky Franck of Eleva; a brother-in-law, Gary Fromm of Whitehall;  many nieces and nephews; his beloved cat, Boots and two granddogs, Jayda and Pistol.

In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Raymond and Lillian Anderson; a sister-in-law, Jackie Fromm; five brothers-in-law, Carlyle Helstad, Edgar Anderson, Leroy Olstad, Robert Anderson and Warren Anderson and a granddaughter, Andrea Nelson.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall.  Scott Brown SAM will officiate.  Burial will be in the Old Whitehall Cemetery in rural Whitehall.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.