Sally Johnson of Osceola, Wisconsin, passed peacefully on Feb. 26, 2025 at Dove Healthcare in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. 97 years and still no wrinkles. Sally was born Feb. 11, 1928 in Osceola Township, Wisconsin, to Arthur and Minnie Gross, Sr. She graduated from Osceola High School in 1946. She met Merlin W. Johnson of rural Amery, Wisconsin, at a Dresser Hall dance. They married on July 22, 1950 at Zion Lutheran Church, East Farmington Wisconsin, and continued dancing together throughout their 70 years of marriage. Sally and Merlin were often seen together having fun with family and friends, encouraging others with visits and food. They loved to travel, visit grandkids, dance, eat out or just get together for games. They lived and embraced a full good life together.
Sally had a sense of humor and was very creative with everything she touched. She meticulously sewed clothes for her girls, granddaughters, and their dolls. Fashioning many felt banners for Bethesda Lutheran Church was a joy as well. A detailed baker, decorating many wedding cakes, personalized birthday cakes and a large variety of Christmas cookies. She even decorated valentine’s cookies complete with names for each of her daughters’ classmates. She especially enjoyed making cookies and pies with the grandkids. Then there were a few memorable gag gifts for friends. Sally spoke of working at the bakery and basket factories in Osceola, and Munsingwear in the Twin Cities. She worked many years as a school cook in St. Croix Falls when they served homemade bread.
Sally is survived by daughters, Connie Bayle (Pratt), Kim Johnson, and Kelly (Bob) Stejskal; grandchildren, Tristan (Mizuho) Pratt, Bridgette Bayle, Phillip Bayle, Jen (Christian Foust) Feske, Sam (Erin Hennessey) Feske, Kendra Stejskal and Hannah (Calin) Scott; great-grandchildren, Eston and Ellis Pratt, and Desiree and Tessa Scott; brother-in-law, Gerald Johnson; family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin (March 11, 2021); parents; siblings, Art Gross, Jr. (wives Marlene and Bernetta) and Ruth (Herb) Wise; step-father, Walter Johnson; niece, Nancy Bates; in-laws, Dale (Lorraine) Johnson, Vernal (JoAnn) Johnson, Carol (Harold) Johnson and Virginia Johnson; nephews, Duane and Doug Johnson; and son-in-law, Denis Bayle.
Merlin and Sally’s family wishes to thank you for being a rich part of making their lives so full.
They also offer a heartfelt thank you to the loving caregivers at Dove, who enjoyed getting Sally to smile often.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please encourage a church or organization of your choosing.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Peace Lutheran Church in Dresser, Wisconsin, with livestream access through Grandstrand Funeral Home. Visitation one hour prior. Light meal to follow the service. Burial will take place at Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements with Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola, WI. Condolences can be expressed online at grandstrandfh.com.
