THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
Celebration-Bert Johnson, was honored on his 100th birthday Friday, April 6 at the Renaissance in Marinette. Family and friends honored the World War II veteran with balloons, cake and ice cream. Family members from left to right include: Betty Salewsky, Chris Johnson, Bruce Johnson, Bert's brother, Bob Johnson Sr., Bob Johnson Jr., Richard Peterson and Terri Peterson. Bert is seated in his wheel chair.
Bert Johnson Celebrated 100th Birthday April 6th
Issue Date: April 12, 2018
Bertil (Bert) Johnson, celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends on Friday, April 6 at the Renaissance in Marinette. He was born on April 6, 1918 to Oscar and Augusta Johnson in Chicago. His father was a preacher so the family moved a lot while Bert was growing up.
Some of the cities Bert lived in besides Chicago were Merrill, WI, Ogilvie, MN, Marinette, WI, and Stephenson, MI before settling in Menominee.
Bert graduated from Stephenson High School and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Crystal Falls, MI and then went on to serve in World War II as a tail gunner on B24 bombers. He was awarded a purple heart during his service.
Bert married Mildred Blomquist, in 1947 in Menominee, MI and the couple had one daughter, Candace who resides in Rochester, MN. After Mildred's death in 2000, Bert married June Peterson in Stephenson, MI. She passed away in 2015.
Bert worked for 45 years for the former Michigan Bell Telephone Company. He has a brother Bob, who is 96 years old and is also a resident at the Renaissance. The brothers only live 4 doors apart at the facility. Those in attendance at the birthday celebration enjoyed cake and ice cream and a lot of good conversation.