Joseph Johnson

Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:41 pm

Joseph F. Johnson, age 58, of Waukon, died Monday, March 20, 2023, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Joseph Font Johnson was born July 27, 1964, in Chicago, Ill., the son of John Thomas, Sr. and Virginia Jo (Hall) Johnson. In 1983, he graduated from Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago. Joseph worked for Continental Can Company in Chicago before starting his own trucking business “Born Free”. He moved to southern Illinois, where he met Katherine Carvella Trageser; they later married on Dec. 28, 2004. His parents and siblings had moved to Ferryville, Wis., and in 1997, Joseph moved to nearby Waukon.

He continued driving semi, primarily for Downing Construction in Decorah.

One of the perks of being in the trucking business is getting to travel around the country, which Joseph loved to do and was hoping to travel abroad someday. He was able to take a trip to California with his brother and mom to attend a Price is Right taping. Besides watching game shows on TV, Joseph also liked playing cards and boardgames. He liked visiting with family, collecting coins, and cooking/BBQing as well.

He is survived by his three siblings: Jolyn (James) Barrow of Norcross, Ga., John Johnson, Jr. of La Crosse, Wis., and Jennifer (Mike) Kolsrud Brown of Stewartville, Minn.; nephews and niece: John, Andrew, Thomas, and Lainey Kolsrud; and many friends.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Kathy in 2016. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.