Iris E. Johnson

On Tuesday March 24, 2026, Iris Eileen Johnson of Lake Hallie, left this life. She had recently been diagnosed with cancer and was hospitalized a short time after, where she succumbed to the disease, surrounded by her family - her husband Larry, holding her hand, just as he had done for decades. The daughter of Earl and Esther (Walter) Salzwedel, Iris was born in Ettrick, Wisconsin on February 19th, 1942. Attending a local dance, between Ettrick and the nearby town of Blair, she met her future husband, Lawrence “Larry” Johnson. The couple married on June 22, 1963 and had three children: Bruce, Laurie Dawn and Robert. They settled first in Onalaska and then in Chippewa Falls in the township of Lake Hallie where Iris & Larry dug the foundation for and built their beautiful home in 1971.

Iris was a wonderful homemaker; managing the household and raising her children and later helping with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Possessed of a lilting singing voice and a sweet nature, she was the true matriarch at family celebrations and holidays. Iris had an artistic flair with an appreciation for all things beautiful, be it her flower garden or antiques. Her ‘wild side’ was on display occasionally, at a casino, where she would bring her ‘stake’ for the day and laugh quite a bit, whether she added to it or not. Her family is grateful for the shortness of her illness and sorrowful for her exit after 84 full years, but extraordinarily rich for the time spent in her company.

Iris was active at Faith Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. Surviving her is her dear husband of almost 63 years, Larry. Her great legacy is represented by her surviving children, Bruce (Karen) Johnson of Menomonie, Laurie Dawn (Buzz) Roddy of The Bronx, NY and Robert (Angela) Johnson of Tilden. She was also blessed with 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Special cousins also surviving are Lamay Hansen and Beverly Rodgers. She was preceded in death by her dear sister, Corrine (Dennis) Melby.

Visitation begins at 10 AM Friday, April 10 at Faith Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls. A funeral service will follow at 11 AM with the Reverend William Plautz officiating. Interment will be at Prairie View Cemetery in Lake Hallie.