Russell O Johnson

Russell O. Johnson "Russ," 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Russell was born on July 12, 1938 in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 13, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gilman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981 Russ started working as a machinist for Spacesaver Corporation in Fort Atkinson, helping grow the company from a small business on Old Highway 26, into a global manufacturer of high-density mobile storage systems. Russ retired from Spacesaver in 2000.

Russell was an avid hunter who loved to bow hunt deer and turkey, and of course he loved to fish. Russ also made many of his own fly-fishing lures, which he enjoyed using. He had his own woodworking shop and built many wood toys, chairs and dressers.

He is survived by his wife Avis Johnson; children Russell and Sheryl Johnson, Steven and Dawn Johnson, and Laramie Hanson (Keith Kutz); grandchildren Valerie and Michael Stitt, Ashley Hanson (Mike "Sully" Sullivan), Derek Johnson (Brianna McIntosh), Alycia Johnson (Nate Wright), and Kyle Johnson; great-grandchildren Breanna Tellefson (Colin) and Aleena Sullivan; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer O and Mildred (Hanewold) Johnson; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Beatrice "Bea" Mogensen and Robert "Bob" Mogensen, and Eleanor C. Gray and Charlie "Gunda" Gray and his son Wesley Wagner.

A celebration of life will take place on October 10, 2026 at 1:00PM at the Fairhaven Prairie Village Community Center, 913 Burr Oak Trail, Whitewater, WI 53190, to honor Russell's life. 

 Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is proudly serving the family.