Sue Johnson Memorial Service

First Lutheran Church

Sue Johnson Memorial Service

May 30, 2024 • Tim Bjorge

Susan Janet (Oehrke) Johnson was born on April 3, 1939 in Watertown, Wisconsin to Clarence and Lois (Yeo) Oehrke. She graduated from high school in 1956 in Palmyra, Wisconsin and from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1960 with a degree in Medical Technology. After college graduation she accepted a job at the hospital in Amery, Wisconsin where she ended up living the rest of her life.

Susan married Bruce Johnson on May 6, 1961 and together they had two children. She had a very full life and was involved in many community organizations and boards. She was a proud member of Amery Woman’s Club, Amery Lion’s Club, Amery Area Community Center, Amery Community Foundation, Girl Scouts of America, and Wisconsin Woman’s Pharmacy Auxiliary. She was a dedicated member of First Lutheran Church in Amery where she served as a youth leader, a member of the church choir, altar committee, and served as a Stephen Minister. Susan was an avid reader and enjoyed needle-work of any kind as well as crosswords and bridge.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, infant son, and loving husband Bruce. Susan died on May 23, 2024 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she proudly worked for many years of her career. Left to mourn are her son Matthew Johnson, his wife Julie and children Eli and Sylvie, and daughter Sarah Flanum, her husband Ed and children Claire and Charlie, her brother Paul and his wife Rita Oehrke.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, Wisconsin. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Amery, WI with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery in Amery, WI.

Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church Endowment Fund and the Amery Area Community Foundation.

Lila Ward Celebration of Life

October 11, 2024 • Tim Bjorge

Lila Bernette Ward, age 100, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Amery, Wisconsin. Lila was born on March 28, 1924, in Wanderoos, Wisconsin to Oscar and Esther Erickson. She attended Deer Lake School and later graduated from Balsam Lake High School. She married Robert Ward on December 18, 1942, and together they raised 4 children. Lila was a homemaker for many years as she raised her children. Later in life, she worked for the Amery Free Press and catered hundreds of local weddings with her dear friend Irma Marquand. She was a faithful member of First Lutheran Church in Amery as well as a member of the Eastern Star. Lila was an avid card player and belonged to many local bridge groups as well as her coffee group on South Street for almost 50 years. Lila loved her family most of all and leaves a legacy of love and kindness behind her. She treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always had a fun game to play, a craft to create or her famous taffy to pull whenever we were together. Lila was also a wonderful and loyal friend to many. Lila is preceded in death by husband, Robert and oldest daughter Lorna Nelson as well as her parents and 3 siblings. Lila is survived by Gordon Nelson, James (Wendy) Ward, Bruce (Rita) Ward, Robin (Craig) Filkouski; 10 grandchildren, Karen Nelson, Kate Nelson, Alida Barthman, Jessie Whitman, Abby Wold, Daniel Ward, Issac Ward, Andrew Filkouski, Sam Filkouski and Carlie Filkouski; 11 great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Kallie, Brooke, Grady, Chris, Alex, Casey, Jadelynn, Kyla, Teddy and Lily. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Amery, WI. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the church. Burial will take place at the Amery Cemetery in Amery, WI.

Karen Swager Celebration of Life

September 20, 2024 • Tim Bjorge

Karen Lois Swager (Schjenken), of Amery, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024 at the Amery Hospital surrounded by family. Karen was born in St. Croix Falls, WI to Marlin and Lois Schjenken on June 19, 1956. She grew up in Dresser WI. Karen graduated from St. Croix Falls High School in 1974. She married Steve Swager and to this union they had a daughter, Tiffany Swager. She worked during her younger years at Bellanca Airport in Osceola, WI. She also worked many years at Amtec and Cardinal Glass in Amery, WI doing office work. Karen was involved in church and loved to teach Sunday School while her daughter was younger. She enjoyed spending her time tending to her flower gardens, sewing, and baking. Another pastime she enjoyed was researching her family’s history. She liked seeing the world and traveling. She especially loved going to Arizona to see her brother, Keith, and family vacations with her long-time friend, Linda. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and going to her granddaughters sporting events. She recently became a great-grandma and loved the time she got to spend with her great-grandson. Karen is survived by her daughter, Tiffany Swager; her brothers, Darrell Schjenken and Dale Schjenken (Lorie); Granddaughter, Brandi Swager (Bobby); Grandsons, Weston Facchinni and Jaxson Facchinni. Her great-grandson, Liam Sims; Nieces and Nephews, Kelsie Senarighi (Adam), Dustin Schejenken (Syd), Amber Schjenken (Jordan); Aunts and Uncle, Katie Humble, Deena Gravelle, Russell Kunde (Mary) and longtime childhood friend Linda McKusick. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marlin and Lois Schjenken and brother, Keith Schjenken. Funeral Services for Karen will be held at 11am on Friday, September 20, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Amery, WI. Visitation will be from 4-7pm on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery and again one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Dresser, WI.

Estela Navarro Celebration of Life

August 9, 2024 • Tim Bjorge

Estela Navarro 87, of Amery, formerly of Miami, FL passed away peacefully on July 23, 2024. Estela was born on November 12, 1937 in Havana, Cuba. She grew up in a home with six brothers and sisters. Family was everything and she always talked about her family in Cuba. After high school, Estela worked many jobs before moving to Miami, Florida. She married Antonio Nobles Navarro in 1968 and they later had two sons, John and Antonio. Through the years, Estela worked hard for her family in home health care, real estate, being a para at the school, and raising two sons, whom she adored. On August 17, 2007, she was extremely proud to become a United States citizen. Estela was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Antonio. She will be greatly missed by her sons John (Shannon) Aizpurua and Tony (Amanda) Aizpurua, her six grandchildren John, Joshua (Alex), Justice, Luciana, Mateo, and Laken, along with many other special family and friends. A visitation will be held at First Lutheran Church in Amery, WI on Friday, August 9, 2024 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm, followed by her funeral service at 4:00 pm.