Rev. Howard J. Johnson, age 95, of Lake Ellen, Cascade, WI, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2023 at
his home.
He was born on June 24, 1927 in Milwaukee, WI, a son of the late George M. and Helen (Frelka)
Johnson. His decision to enter priesthood, found him enrolling at St. Francis Minor Seminary in St.
Francis, WI, and then continued his education at St. Francis Major Seminary. On May 1, 1954 he was
ordained and served parishes at St. Agnes in Butler, WI, St. Matthias in West Allis from 1954-1957. He
then served at St. John the Baptist Parish in Plymouth from 1957-1960.
His passion for working with youth, found him teaching at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha
in 1960, the Carmelite Monastery in Pewaukee in 1961, the Wisconsin School for Boys in Waukesha
from 1960-1961.
He began his clinical pastoral training for institutional chaplain work, studying at UW Milwaukee and UW
Madison and Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee receiving his BA in Philosophy.
Fr. Johnson began institutional chaplain work and at the same time began working and studying at St.
Elizabeth Hospital in Washington D.C., and the Mendota Health Institute in Madison for his clinical
certification in pastoral education.
He received his Chaplain III rating in the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections as a Clinical Pastoral Educator.
He was one of the first Catholic Priests nationwide to be certified by both the Clinical Pastoral Educators
(ACPE) and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC).
He was employed at the Kettle Moraine Boys School near Plymouth from 1962-1975 and continued
working there when it became a prison, (Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution) working from 1975-
1989.
In retirement, he accepted numerous temporary parishes including, Presentation Parish in North Fond
du Lac, Immaculate Conception in Sheboygan and St. John Parish in Kohler in 1991. Fr. Johnson was then
assigned to Blessed Trinity (St. Mary’s) Parish in Sheboygan Falls from 1992-1995.
He also served at St. George Parish at Six Corners near Sheboygan in 1997. Fr. Johnson has wintered in
Arizona since 1999 and also assists there at St. George Parish with Father Dominic Pente in Apache
Junction. Known to his close friends as Fr. Howie, he has always made himself available to people in
need, serving at funerals, weddings, and other Church functions and had been Chaplain to the
Daughters of Isabella (Marquette Circle #521) at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for many years. He
has also been an advocate for the St. Vincent DePaul Store in Plymouth.
In 1985, he was selected by the Wisconsin Council of Churches as the Wisconsin Chaplain of the Year
and in 1994 the Association of Clinical Pastoral Educators awarded Fr. Johnson the Supervisor Emeritus
Lifetime status, again being one of the first Catholic Priests to receive the recognition.
He also served on the Board of Examiners, Office of Chaplain Services for five years and was past
president of A.C.C.C.A (Catholic) and the A.C.C.A (all faiths) Correctional Chaplain Associations.
Fr. Johnson also enjoyed playing tennis and golf. He was very proud of his 160 yard hole-in-one at Links
Golf Club on Hole 4 with a 5 iron on April 19, 2000.
Survivors include two nieces, Mary Beth (Scott) Wisniewski of Pewaukee and Robin (Ben) Honl of
Merrillan; one nephew, David Harenda of Waterford; and a host of loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marion (Harry) Harenda and nephew, Michael
Verburgt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday (April 21) at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic
Church in Plymouth. Bishop James Schuerman will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery.
Visitation will take place at the CHURCH on Friday (April 21) from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Fr. Johnson’s name for the Milwaukee
Archdiocese or St. Vincent de Paul Plymouth.
The Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences please visit,
www.suchonfh.com.
The family would like to send a special thank you to all the caregivers from Companion Care; Rick and
Trish, Mariah, Laurel, Lily, Rachel, Shawn, Nancy, Jon and Tammy, dear friend Chuck McCoy, and his
extra special companion, caretaker and driver, Alan Call.
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