Freeman Johnson
Freeman Leonard Johnson, 95, of Eagle River, WI passed away on Friday July 24, 2026 at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI.
Freeman was born on September 1, 1930 in Ironwood, MI to the late Leonard and Lillian (Thompson) Johnson. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, MI in 1948.
He married the late Vienna “Vicki” E. Lehikoinen on October 11,1958 in Ironwood, MI. She preceded him in death on April 27, 2026, having celebrated 67 years of marriage last October and making Eagle River their home for the past 62 years.
After high school graduation Freeman worked at the Ironwood Daily Globe as an apprentice printer until October 1951 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. His basic training was in NY at Sampson Air Force Base, then he was sent to University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK for administrative school/clerk typist. After graduation he was assigned to Morrison Air Force Base in West Palm Beach, FL, transferred to Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, AK and finally to Duluth Air Force Base until October 1955. He returned to the Ironwood Daily Globe until 1964 when he relocated to Eagle River, WI for a long career at the Vilas County News Review until retirement.
Freeman had numerous outdoor interests, including fishing, rabbit and bird hunting with his dogs, snowshoeing, camping, enjoying the traditional Finnish sauna he built in the backyard, traveling and watching the Packers or any game of hockey. He and Vicki traveled together over the years to many states and Canada, but a favorite day for them would be a drive to Little Girls Point at Lake Superior and to Randall’s Bakery in Wakefield, then stopping for a picnic lunch with hot pasties and a thermos of coffee. Whether it was listening to polka music on the radio, attending a live music festival or going to FinnFest, music brought them both happiness. Freeman had the best laugh when he heard or told a good joke, would relish a long conversation or sharing stories and was a friend to all who knew him.
Freeman is survived by his daughter, Lynn Johnson in Oregon, his sister Jean (Larry) Korpela in Wausau, WI and his many nieces/nephews, great nieces/great nephews, cousins and friends who were all like family to him.
Freeman was preceded in death by his wife, parents and sister, Gloria A. Doney and will now be reunited with them.
His family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the Eagle River Milestone Senior Living staff and to the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Palliative Care Unit nursing staff for their loving care of Freeman.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday August 18, 2026 at the Gaffney -Busha Funeral Home in Eagle River, WI, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at 10:00 AM for friends and family.
Burial will be in Ironwood, MI at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com
