JOHNSON, Harold O. Harold O. Johnson, age 85, of Rice Lake, WI, died Sunday, June 15, 2008 at Brentwood Assisted Living in Rice Lake. He was born on August 4, 1922 to Oliver and Marion (Goodrich) Johnson. Harold graduated from the Rice Lake High School in 1940 and then attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison for a year prior to his entering the United States Army Air Force where he served in the European Theatre as a lead navigator and instructor. After completing 35 missions he was Honorably Discharged in 1945. Harold was married to Betty Bergstrom Oliphant on December 30, 1945 in Rice Lake. Harold and his brother, John co-owned and operated Oliver Chevrolet which had been established in 1935. Harold and John took over the business in the late 1940’s and retired in 1977. The business is presently known as Don Johnson Motors Inc. with the 4th generation of family active in it. Harold loved to golf, bowl, take care of his flower garden, to go on his annual fishing trips in Canada. Harold was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Kiwanis Club of Rice Lake and the Elk’s Lodge. Mr. Johnson is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Don & Connie Johnson of Rice Lake, WI; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Becky Palmgren of Blaine, MN and Cheryl & Ron Smith of Altoona, WI; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Pete) Nohelty, Judy (Jim) Draganowski, Karen (Tim) Wachholz, Joshua Johnson, Adam Johnson and Andrew Palmgren; 9 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Dwight Johnson of Rice Lake, WI. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty J. Johnson in 1997; a son, Bruce Johnson; a great grandson, Zachary Wachholz; his parents, Oliver and Marion Johnson; 2 brothers, Russel and John Johnson; and a sister, Judith Johnson. Memorial Services will be held 10:30 AM Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, WI, Rev. Russell Sorensen and Rev. Philip Mueller officiating, with interment in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery at Spooner, WI, where Military Rites will be accorded by the Rice Lake Veterans Center Honor Guard. Friends may call from 4 - 7 PM Wednesday at Appleyard's Home for Funerals in Rice Lake and for 1 hour prior to the funeral at the Church. Memorials appreciated to the Bethany Lutheran Church.

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