Shirley Ann Juncker Johnson

Shirley A. (Juncker) Johnson, age 84, of Waukesha, died peacefully at home under hospice care and surrounded by her family in Waukesha, Wisconsin on January 31, 2019.

Born May 22, 1934 in Belleville, Illinois to the late Aaron and Elizabeth Juncker, Shirley grew up in Batavia, Illinois and went to North Park College in Chicago and Tulane University in New Orleans, earning her bachelor’s degree. She met her beloved husband, Paul Johnson, in Hinsdale, Illinois, where they were married at the Convenant Church on November 5, 1955. Paul and Shirley shared their life together in Wisconsin.

Shirley served children for many years in Waukesha elementary schools as a teacher’s aide, most recently at Hadfield School. She and her husband Paul were founding members of Southminster Presbyterian Church, and Shirley was ordained as a deacon there and very active in the church. Paul and Shirley led over sixty mission trips to Guatemala, the Philippines, Bolivia, Armenia, Georgia, and El Salvador building bridges, schools, and water projects. Shirley also organized a project to bring sewing machines and training to Guatemala City. Shirley was a member of a philanthropic educational organization since 1972 and volunteered extensively in the Waukesha community such as in the Senior Service Club.

Walking daily and hiking with Paul in God’s natural beauty in places like the Smoky Mountains were Shirley’s greatest pastimes. She was a skilled craftsperson, sewing, knitting, and embroidering with her sewing group. Annually, Shirley traveled with her close-knit friends to share their faith, fellowship and adventures for more than twenty-five years; throughout the years, these friends have continually supported one another and had a good deal of fun. Shirley and Paul also enjoyed traveling. They have visited most national parks, many state parks, and almost every state in the U.S. and ventured further to Europe and Asia.

Shirley is lovingly survived by her husband and best friend Paul Johnson; her children: Peter Johnson (Sarah Nelson), Lisa Johnson (Jeffrey Kao), Dean Johnson (Cindy Eggert Johnson), and Kent Johnson; her grandchildren: Joshua Johnson, Kaelene (Johnson) Acosta, Becky Johnson, Olivia (Johnson) Kassner, Anika Johnson, Nathan Watermolen, Bailey Watermolen, Emmalee Johnson-Kao, Jacob Johnson, Aaron Johnson, and Forest Kilmer-Johnson; four great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends; preceded in death by son Daniel Johnson. We will all carry Shirley’s spirit and energy with us.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to Allay hospice staff for all their support.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 3rd at 1:30pm at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 200 Richard Street, Waukesha, WI 53189, with a reception and fellowship to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the newly established Paul and Shirley Johnson Mission Fund at Southminster Presbyterian Church.