Obituary
Phyllis Johnson
Prescott, WI – Phyllis Johnson, 89, former resident of Ramsay, Michigan, went home to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 15, 2026, at the Prescott Nursing Home.
She was born on June 7, 1936, to the late Samuel and Anna Shermas who immigrated from Austria. She was raised in Jessieville where she attended Newport School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, Michigan in 1954.
She was preceded in death by five sisters (Francis, Regina, Margaret, Bernadine, Agnes) and six brothers (Adam, Phillip, Paul, Alex, Samuel, John) and was the last surviving family member from her generation of the Shermas family. Her father served in WWI (Army), her brother Alex in WWII (Army), her brother John died in Vietnam (Army), her husband served in the Korean War (Marine Corps), and her son Jack served in peacetime (Air Force).
She dearly loved John Gordon (Gordy) Johnson and was united in marriage in 1957 until his death in 2004. They had four children together and lived for several years in Duluth, MN until they moved to Ramsay, Michigan to raise their children. She worked for many years at the Ramsay School assisting the special education children where she showered them with her kindness, patience, and compassion. Her main passion in life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she was the sweetest
person who loved them all unconditionally.
She viewed the world with a positive spirit and saw only the best in people. She loved telling jokes and stories of her days growing up in Jessieville. Times were very tough and they were very poor. They lived on a small farmstead where they raised their own
food by gardening, canning and raising livestock. They had no indoor plumbing or electricity until later in life. Her mom cooked on a wood stove, even during the hot summers. What extra food they had they shared with the hoboes. She proved that you
don’t have to be rich to richly bless others. She later spent many years in River Falls, WI where she volunteered at the Second Chances Thrift Store. Her legacy is kindness, compassion, gentleness, patience, generosity and love.
She leaves behind her children, Linda (Dennis Palma) of River Falls, WI, Jack of River Falls, WI, Tom (Brenda) of Holmen, WI, and David of Wakefield, MI, as well as 5 grandchildren Marilyn (John McCluskey), Jessica (Chris Mickelsen), Mary (John
Saxon), Katie (a.k.a. Ofelia), Natalie and 5 great-grandchildren (Carter, Piper, Xavier, Zoey, Evangeline). She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, especially remembering Maxine and Tammy and her best friend in the world, Betty Ahola, of
Ramsay.
A heartfelt thank you to the Prescott Nursing Home staff for all the wonderful care they provided Phyllis in her final days. A celebration of life will be held on June 6, 2026, at The Gathering Place, Onalaska, WI. Online condolences may be left at
couleecremation.com.
John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
my greatest condolences to the Johnson family. I have known Phyllis since the late 70s. she was always kind. I remember her working with the children in the ramsay school. very patient. Phyllis always looked for the good in people. she treated everyone with kindness and respect. she will be missed by everyone who knew her.