Lee Johnston, Oconto Falls…age 84, passed away at his home in Oconto Falls on July 4, 2024. After serving in the Army National Guard, Lee went on to work in forestry most of his life. He started as a seasonal worker in the Bagley and Stiles fire towers for several years. He was then permanently assigned to the Stiles Ranger Station and later to the Oconto Falls Ranger Station. He served a total of 31 years as a forest ranger with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He also worked with local game wardens when they needed an extra hand. He held both sheriff’s deputy and conservation warden badges. He retired from the DNR in 1997.
Lee married Donna Sadowski in 1982, she passed away in 2012. Together they operated Johnston Forestry, writing forest management plans and overseeing timber sales. Lee and Donna were both Life Members and were very active in the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association and the local Phoenix Falls Chapter. Later he met Kathryn Lambrecht and she joined him at WWOA Annual Meetings.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Gallagher Funeral Home, 217 Congress St., Oconto, from 9 to 11 AM Friday, July 19, 2024. Burial will be at Brookside Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, PO Box 285, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, or to the charity of your choice.