Whynelda Marie Johnson

Whynelda Maire “Nel” (Burmester) Johnson

Born March 27, 1933, Died August 15, 2025

Whynelda Marie (Nel) (Burmester) Johnson was born on March 27th 1933 on her family farm North of Glenwood City on County Rd. X, Saint Croix County, WI. And passed away at the age of 92,on August 15, 2025. She was the 5th child born to William Henry Burmester and Anna Dorothea (Alverman) Burmester of rural Glenwood Township, Sant Croix County, WI

She married Rowland Burton Johnson, from Stillwater, Minnesota on June 20th 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Glenwood City. Rowland and Whynelda made their first home in Stillwater, MN, and Fredric WI, then River Falls, WI where among other activities she sold Amway products. They eventually moved to their farm north of Glenwood City in November of 1969, where they farmed and started their own transportation business. They had five children; David, Bill, Perry, Shelly and Ranei. She was where she wanted to be, next door to the farm where she grew up.

Her sight failing little by little from when she was a young girl she still learned to play piano and other instruments at home that fostered a love for music that lasted her entire life, and pass it on to her children. She and Rowland also loved, as many of their generation did, the genre of Polka music and Ballroom dancing, even arranging dances at the civic hall in Downing, WI. She also loved gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, painting, needle work and quilting, both at home and at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, all with her limited sight. And was eager to pass on her knowledge of life and living on the farm. She also cared for as many as 8 foster children.

Whynelda was preceded in death by her husband Rowland, her parents William and Anna Burmester, Son-in-law Edward Scholler, Daughter-in-law Deborah Johnson, Keith Allen (special friend of Shelly) and four of her siblings and spouses, Art and Karen Burmester, Dorothea and Ozwald Vogel, Ted and Lydia Burmester and Erna and Eugene Stansbury, Brothers and Sisters-in-laws; Eldon and Lois Johnson, Ed and Rowaine Frerichs and Roger Stansbury, Niece Deborah (Burmester) Bartz and Nephew Duane Frerichs.

She is survived by her children; David (Debbie), Baldwin, WI, William (Brenda), Clayton, WI, Perry, Boyceville, WI, Shelly Schmidt, Waterford, WI and Ranei Scholler, Madison, WI. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Joe (Mel) Johnson, Cindy (Terry) Ludtke, Todd (Nicole) Jacobson, Phillip (Bobbi Jo) Jacobson. Stacey Oberley, Brian (Jennifer) Johnson, Anne (Brian) Vaver, Kimberly (Ron) Obermueller, Bill Jr. (Jessica) Johnson, Amanda (Lukas) Montgomery, Eric (Jodi) Schmidt, David (Kelle) Schmidt, Nickolas (Jessica) Schmidt, Joseph (Jennifer) Scholler, Angela (John) Driedric, Emma (Hogan) Chouinard and many great grandchildren great great grandchildren, Sister Helen Stansbury, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and Godchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Whynelda will be held 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Glenwood City, WI on September 6, 2025 with visitation held two hours prior at the church.

Anderson Funeral Home of Glenwood City is assisting the family with arrangements. www.andersonfuneralhomegcwi.com

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Mayo Clinic Health System, especially Dr. Basu, Emily Jenders, and the dedicated doctors and nursing staff who cared for Nel during her hospital stays. They are also grateful to Mayo Home Health and Hospice, and her Inclusa care team for their support. And especially Anne Vaver for the time spent caring for her during her doctor visits and at home visits these many years.

To honor Whynelda’s life, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library at 813 West Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436. Email address WTBBL@milwaukee.gov. Website; www.dpi.wi.govtalkingbooks/