Judy Marie Johnson

MERCER, Wis.- Judy Marie Sievila Johnson passed away on June 21, 2023. She was born on Oct. 09, 1941, to George and Lillian Makela Sievila, grew up in Ironwood, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1959.

Judy attended business school in Milwaukee and was employed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. She later relocated to the suburban Chicago area and was employed by Bell & Gosset, and Rotonics, Inc. After returning to Ironwood, she was employed for 27 years by the Gogebic County Friend of the Court.

Judy married Archie Johnson in 1986. Following her retirement, they moved to their home on Lake of the Falls in Mercer, where she enjoyed baking, crossword puzzles, fishing, their pontoon boat, hosting an annual Packer Party, and many friends in the area.

Family was very important to her. Judy especially enjoyed family gatherings and traveling with her daughters. She loved having her grandchildren come to her home and peek around the corner into the kitchen to see what kind of treats grandma had made for them.

Judy was active in the Erwin Area Community Club, Ironwood Area Business and Professional Women, and the Mercer Lioness and Lions.

Survivors include her husband of 37 years, Archie Johnson; and children, Julie (Leo) Maki of Sparta, Michigan, Beth (Ray) Goodwin of North Oaks, Minnesota, Jennifer Johnson of Studio City, California, Jeff (Melissa) Johnson of West Olive, Michigan, and Julie (Jeff) Riser of Bloomington, Minnesota. Judy is further survived by grandchildren, Kelsey (Mason) Moody, Abby Maki, Ian Goodwin, Peter Goodwin, Eva Johnson, Grace VanBeveren, Jacob VanBeveren and Jonathan Riser. Other survivors include her brother, Loren (Rosemary) Sievila; and sisters, Katherine (Allen) Erickson, Lynne (James) Midboe and Lori (Paul) Torkelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, George Sievila and Lillian Sievila Elias; her sister, Myrna Sievila Kartusch; and her former husband, Bryan Perala.

Special thanks to the cancer team at the Marshfield Clinic in Minocqua, and the Compassus Hospice team for their care and concern.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials to the Erwin Township Historical Society, PO Box 412, Ironwood, MI 49938, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at hildebrandrussfh.com