Judith C. "Judi" Johnson

We lost our beloved Judi Johnson on Friday April 12, 2019. Judi passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at the age of 72. A celebration of Judi’s life will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church Freistadt, on Tuesday, April 23 at 3pm. Pastor Carl Lehenbauer of Trinity will lead the service. Visitation will take place at Trinity on Tuesday beginning at 1:30pm. Burial will take place immediately after the service at Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Judi’s honor to her beloved church, Trinity Lutheran Freistadt. For online condolences, please visit www.muellerfuneralhomes.com Judi was born on December 23, 1946 in Milwaukee, WI to parents Harold and Frieda Goll. She attended Christ Memorial Lutheran School and graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1964. Judi graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point in June 1968 with a BS in Dietetics and entered the Air Force. She then went on to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she completed her dietetic internship and RD in July 1969 after which she began her first assignment at March Air Force Base, California. Her military career took her to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, Carswell AFB in Texas, Travis AFB in California, Sheppard AFB in Texas, and Scott AFB in Illinois. Judi received her MA in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University, Los Angeles in May 1981. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson exceled in everything she did and graduated from Air Command and Staff College as well as Air War College. She served her country in the United States Air Force for 21 years and was a proud American who always sought to “Aim High” as indicated on her license plate. After retiring from the Air Force in August 1989 Judi spent 5 years being a stay at home mom with her two daughters. She then re-entered the workforce in 1994 as an Instructor and then Assistant Professor for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI. Judi loved working with her students and found tremendous joy in the day-to-day teaching, learning, and mentoring. Her passion and energy influenced her students and staff as well as everyone she came in contact with. She spent 18 years at Mount Mary and retired in 2012 to spend time with her family. Despite retiring, Judi remained an avid member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). She was honored this year for 50 years of service and has held Director at Large positions with the Wisconsin Chapter as well as served as President of the Milwaukee Dietetic Association from 2008-2009. Judi developed a passion for horses while she was at the University of Michigan. She worked at a stable with a registered quarter horse, Billy. A few months after Judi moved to California on her first military assignment, the stable owner drove from Michigan and surprised her, bringing Billy as a gift. Billy was then part of the family for the majority of Judi’s Air Force career. Billy even traveled up the Alcan Highway on the way to Alaska. Judi always had dogs at home and cherished time with her beloved pugs, Charley and Shyla, who have been part of the family for the past 13 years, greeting her with unconditional love. Everyone that knew Judi could tell she loved life. She was always smiling (often for no reason) and singing. Judi put her family first and would do anything for them. She had just finished a family vacation in Florida where she was able to spoil her granddaughters and share some wonderful memories in the sun with those that were her pride and joy. Judy loved The Lord and lived life to the fullest with her unshakeable faith. Judi is survived by her husband of 48 years, Air Force Major Dave Johnson. Judi and Dave met during their first Air Force assignment at March Air Force Base in southern California and enjoyed many wonderful experiences traveling the world together. They are blessed with two caring daughters, Lori (Andy) Giorgi (nee Johnson) of Delafield, WI and Tami Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT. Judi was an enthusiastic grandmother who loved spending time “being a kid” with her granddaughters, Eden and Colbie Giorgi of Delafield. Judi is also survived by her mother, Frieda Goll of Brown Deer, WI and was preceded in death by her father, Harold Goll.