Orval Johnson, age 93, a resident of Frederic, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Traditions of Frederic.

Orval Allan Johnson was born on October 2, 1931, to Earl and Oline (Hill) Johnson at the Frederic Hospital, the oldest of 5 children. They grew up on a dairy farm in Clam Falls Township and had many great stories of growing up on the farm. The Johnson family attended and were very active members at Clam Falls Lutheran Church. Orval and his siblings were baptized and confirmed there. He attended grade school at Rocky Ridge, which was a short walk up the hill from the farm. In 1949, he graduated from Frederic High School and was drafted into the US Army where he served in Germany during the Korean conflict. On June 12, 1953, while home on leave from the Army, he married Roberta Mack at Clam Falls Lutheran Church.

After being discharged, Orval and Robert moved to Fridley, Minnesota where Orval attended Dunwoody Institute. He worked in machine repair/maintenance at various manufacturing facilities throughout his career. As a family they enjoyed camping throughout the United States. In 1965, Orval and Roberta took a trip of a lifetime to Europe, even though their Fridley home was in the process of being re-built after being destroyed by a tornado.

At the age of 58 years, Orval was able to take early retirement. He and Roberta moved back to the farm, which they had purchased from Orval’s parents. He started his second career of raising beef cattle. Orval and Roberta enjoyed their life on the farm until in 2017, when Roberta passed away suddenly. Orval kept himself busy repairing things at the farm and at Clam Falls Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed attending social events in the area-especially all the church dinners! Orval continued to live on the farm until two years ago, when he moved to Traditions of Frederic.

Orval is survived by his two daughters: Michelle (Merle) Waldron and Renee Johnson, two grandsons, Jason (Lindsey) and Josh (Amy), three great-grandchildren, his brother Roger (Gretchen) Johnson, sister Joanne Zillmer, and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.

Orval is preceded in death by his wife Roberta, brothers Jon Johnson and Richard Johnson.

A celebration of Orval’s life will be held at Clam Falls Lutheran Church on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. (A time of gathering will be at the church on Sunday from 1:30-2:30.) A light lunch will be served following the Celebration of Life.

Interment will follow at the Clam Falls Cemetery where generations of his family are at rest.

The family requests no flowers. Instead, memorial gifts may be directed to Clam Falls Lutheran Church in Orval’s name.

Last Update: Jul 18, 2025 7:11 am CDT