PEGGY JOAN (SMITH) JOHNSON

Peggy Joan (Smith) Johnson passed away at her home in Mesa, Arizona on May 27, 2021.

Peggy was born in Pepin, Wisconsin to Merville Henry Smith and Dorothy Mae (Seyffer) Smith on May 29th, 1947. She grew up on the family farm in rural Durand, along with her siblings, Bill, Herb, John, Patty and Dennis.

From early on in her life, Peggy had a love of horses and dogs. That continued her whole life as she always had a dog or two, and a horse and she loved trail riding with friends.

Peggy married John Hubbard in 1965. To this union, two daughters were born, Melissa Anne and Barbara Jo. Peggy and John later divorced.

In 1971, Peggy and John moved to Omaha, Nebraska where they lived on and managed a small thoroughbred farm. They were fortunate to be in the “Winner’s Circle” at Ak-Sar-Ben Horse Racing Track with a colt they had helped raise, named Key Fella, for his first win.

In 1978, they returned to Wisconsin to the rural Eau Galle area. At that time, Peggy acquired her insurance licenses and became an agent for the family business, M. H. Smith Insurance Agency in Durand. The business was owned by her father, Merville, and later by her brother, Herb. Although she wrote insurance for all lines, farms were her specialty. She continued to sell insurance for over 30 years, retiring in 2009.

Peggy met Jerry Johnson in Baldwin while out with some friends. They were married on September 30th, 2000. Peggy moved to rural Wilson with Jerry on his buffalo farm and later helped him run Jerry’s Bar after she retired from the insurance business. Peggy and Jerry loved Las Vegas and playing poker, and they traveled there as often as possible. When Jerry retired and the bar closed, they purchased a winter home in Mesa, Arizona. After Jerry’s passing in 2017, Peggy began to spend more and more time there. She had family and many good friends in Mesa.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jerry, brothers John and Dennis, sisters-in-law Mary Smith and Karen Johnson, and ex-husband, John.

She is survived by her daughters, Melissa (Chuck) Roatch and Barbara (Joel) Olson, stepson Rodney Johnson, grandchildren, Laura, Lindsey, Lucas, Logan, Luke and Samantha, great-grandchildren Madalyn, Kendalyn and Sophie Jo. She is further survived by her brothers, Bill and Herb, and sister Patty (Jon) Pfeilsticker, and nieces and nephews.

A private family burial will be held.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life for Peggy on Sunday, July 18th from noon to 3:00 p.m. at 210 Main Street, Wilson, Wisconsin (formerly Jerry’s Bar).