Lee A. Johnston

Lee Allan Johnston, 84, passed away at his home in Oconto Falls on July 4, 2024.

Born Dec. 17, 1939, to Allan and Ruth (Erdman) Johnston, Lee grew up in Couillardville next to the Oconto River. He attended the one-room school in Couillardville and graduated from Oconto High School in 1958.

After serving in the Army National Guard, Lee went on to work in forestry most of his life. He started as a seasonal worker in the Bagley and Stiles fire towers for several years. He was then permanently assigned to the Stiles Ranger Station and later to the Oconto Falls Ranger Station. He served a total of 31 years as a forest ranger with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He also worked with local game wardens when they needed an extra hand. He held both sheriff’s deputy and conservation warden badges. He retired from the DNR in 1997.

Lee married Donna Sadowski from Porterfield in 1982. Together they operated Johnston Forestry, writing forest management plans and overseeing timber sales. Lee and Donna were both very active in the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Donna; and an infant son, Lee Jr.

He is survived by his sister, Lavon (Bruce) Frazier of Forest Grove, Oregon; nieces and nephews, Michelle (Todd) Engel of Red Wing, Minnesota, Megan (David) Lepschat of Forest Grove, Oregon, Mark (Courtney) Frazier of Austin, Texas, and Michael (Samantha) Frazier of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and their families. He will also be greatly missed by his significant other, Kathryn Lambrecht.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto, from 9-11 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2024. Burial will be at Brookside Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, P.O. Box 285, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, or to the charity of your choice.