John Marvin Johnson, 88, of Spooner, WI died Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 at Maple Ridge Care Center in Spooner.

He was born May 19, 1935, in Shell Lake, WI to Oscar and Marie (Miller) Johnson.

Marvin graduated from Shell Lake High School and eventually earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Marvin had many professions including farming, railroad salvage, as a steelworker, and as a crane operator. Marvin’s career took him around the world . . . He worked up and down the East Coast, helped build missile silos in North Dakota, worked in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and eventually settled in North Pole, Alaska, where he helped build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and assisted with clean-up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Marvin lived for many years in Alaska and moved back to Wisconsin in 2017.

He is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Hilda (Albert) Sommerfeld and Clarinda and Ida Astrid Johnson; five brothers, Herman, Iver, Rueben, Louis Melvin and Vincent Johnson; and one nephew, Steven Johnson.

Burial will be in Clam River Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. Following the burial, a celebration of life will be held at DeweyTown Hall, 24433 Town Hall Rd., Hertel, Wis., at 1 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring a dish to pass and an interesting story about Marvin.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is serving the family with the arrangements.

Last Update: Sep 26, 2023 11:22 am CDT