Service Details
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
- Visitation: 11:00 a.m.
- Memorial Service: 12 Noon
- Interment: West Lawn Memorial Park
Mt. Pleasant – Laura A. Johnston, 97, passed away peacefully at Ridgewood Care Center on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. She was born in Mt. Pleasant on January 27, 1920, daughter of the late William and Jane (nee: Acklam) Davis. Laura graduated from Washington Park High School, earned her RN degree in nursing from St. Luke’s School of Nursing and received her BRN degree at Marquette University. She was married to Raymond L. Merrill on October 31, 1942. Ray preceded her in death in 1955. On November 25, 1961 Laura was married to Joseph Johnston in St. John’s Chapel at the Dekoven Center. Joe passed away in 2014.
Laura devoted many years to her nursing career, including several years with the Racine County Public Health Department. After living in Racine; Burlington, IA; Decatur, IL; Greensburg, PA; Scranton, PA; and Cowes, Isle of Wight (Great Britain), Laura and Joe retired to Asheville, NC, where Laura continued her lifelong passion for sewing. She also volunteered at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Laura’s family extends a very heartfelt thanks to the all the staff at Ridgewood Care Center in Racine for the compassionate care and support given to Laura for several years.
Laura is survived by her children: Hugh (Carol) Merrill of Deerfield, IL, Geoff (Barb) Merrill of Madison, Gordie (Cherrie) Johnston of Racine, and Linda (Franklin) Helt of Wellsboro, PA; grandchildren: Amanda, Amy, Camille, Garrick, Gwen, Kelly, Kim, Kristen and Richard; many greatly loved great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law: Marvin (Lucille) Davis, and Everett (Jean) Davis.
A Memorial Service celebrating Laura’s life will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. Relatives and friends may meet with the family beginning at 11 a.m. until the start of the service at 12 noon. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.
Veronica Averkamp, Tricia Blasko & Maureen Fritchen says
We always enjoyed Laura’s visits to the SPARK! program at RAM’s Wustum Museum over the last few years. She will be dearly missed by our museum staff and volunteers.
-Racine Art Museum and RAM’s Wustum Museum Education Dept.