A memorial service for Rita Remmers Johnson, 75, was attended by family and friends at the Bret Favre Center to celebrate her life. Cremation rites have been accorded with further arrangements planned for this summer at the Baker Township Cemetery in Melvin. She died February 19, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisc.
Rita was born in Melvin, May 5, 1933, to Rene and Louisa Remmers. She attended the Melvin Consolidated Schools, and went on to attend Morningside College in Sioux City, where she earned a pre-professional elementary ed certificate. She taught in the Kingsley and Sioux City schools.
She was married to Keith W. Johnson on July 31, 1955. They resided in Sioux City and Grand Island, Nebr., where Keith was employed by Cargill Inc. Later they moved to Ames, when Keith accepted the position of executive director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. After her husband's disabling illness, they moved to the Chicago, Ill., and Madison, Wisc., areas to become house parents at the church related Chicago Jr. Schools and University of Wisconsin Student Organization, respectively. Rita continued to substitute teach in the Madison area, until Keith died in June of 1995.
Rita was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, serving in many capacities. She was a member of the Garden Club, Kiwanis Club and P.E.O.
She was an avid sports fan and ushered at the UW football games and at the Kohl Center. Later when she moved to Green Bay, she collected donations for charities before the Green Bay Packer games.
Many people in Iowa will remember her playing six on six basketball for the Melvin Comets. She was privileged to play on two "Sweet Sixteen" state tournament teams in 1947 and 1951.
She is survived by a son, Steven (Kathy) Johnson of Green Bay, Wisc., and a daughter, Louise (Scott) Krueger of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters: Rosie (Bill) Holsclaw of Clinton and Renee (Bernie) Warning of Edmond, Okla.; a sister-in-law, Joan Bostrom of Lexington, KY; and four grandchildren: Troy, Tracia and Jenna Johnson and Christy Krueger.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting
hholsclaw@mchsi.com.
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