Keith Leonard
Johnson
- VISITATION: Friday July 25th, 2025 from 1pm-3pm, Hales Corners Lutheran Church (12300 W. Janesville Rd.)
- FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday July 25th, 2025 , 3pm, Hales Corners Lutheran Church (12300 W. Janesville Rd.)
Rev. Dr. Keith L. Johnson
Reverend Dr. Keith Leonard Johnson, 85 years of age, of Muskego, Wisconsin passed away peacefully with his immediate family by his side, receiving his Crown of Glory on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
Keith was a devoted husband to Sylvia Ann (nee Vandor) Johnson, and a loving father to Carolyn (Robert) Berlinski, Brian (Stacie) Johnson, and Jennifer (David) Trojan. He was a dear grandfather to Ian Berlinski, Makenna (Kenneth) Jarvis, Andrew, Megan & Kilei Johnson, Peyton Dent, Bryan (Sarah) Trojan, and Andrea Trojan. He was the proud great-grandfather of Hoyt Jarvis and Leo Trojan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andy and Blanche Johnson, youngest brother, LeVerne Johnson, and grandson, Noah Johnson.
Born on August 25, 1939 in Sumner, Iowa, Keith attended elementary school in Dunkerton, Gilbertville and Jessup, Iowa, graduating 8th grade from St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Evansdale. He then attended McKinstry Middle School and graduated from East Waterloo High in 1957. Following high school graduation, Keith attended St. Paul’s College in Concordia, Missouri from 1957-1960 where he met his wife-to-be, Sylvia Vandor. He moved on to the Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the fall of 1960 to continue preparing for the ministry. He then entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating in 1966.
Keith was united in marriage to Sylvia Ann Vandor on August 4, 1963 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lakewood, California. In spite of being almost late to the ceremony due to beach traffic, the couple was blessed with almost 62 years of God’s grace.
Pastor Johnson’s vicarage was served at Christ Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois. Upon graduation, he was placed in a dual parish which included Trinity Lutheran Church and First English Lutheran Church in Hartford and Parker, South Dakota. He served these parishes from 1966-1972 and then received a call to serve another dual parish which included St. John’s Lutheran Church and Concordia Lutheran Church in Wolsey and Wessington, South Dakota where he served from 1972-1977.
After 11 years in South Dakota, Pastor Johnson accepted a call to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Foley, Alabama. While serving there, he started a mission church, St. Jude’s by the Sea Lutheran Church, in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
In the summer of 1980, Pastor Johnson received and accepted the call to serve as Associate Pastor at Hales Corners Lutheran Church and School in Hales Corners, Wisconsin where he served until his retirement, the first of which was in 2009, and finally in 2021 when his health began to fail.
During Pastor Johnson’s 40+ years at Hales Corners Lutheran, he touched many lives as he baptized, confirmed, married, and conducted funerals for the members of the congregation that he loved. He even managed to return to Concordia Seminary to get his Doctor of Ministry degree. Visiting the hospitalized and home-bound, as well as conducting devotions and services in local care centers, was his “ministry mission.” He spent 20 years as Chaplain at Steeple View and served as Pastoral Counselor of the English District Lutheran Women’s Ministry League. His kind, compassionate, and loving heart endeared him to many.
Pastor Johnson was active in the community as a member of the Hales Corners Lions Club for 35+ years serving in various offices and as Chaplain of the area zone.
His Boss was a carpenter, and he enjoyed wood-working, home improvement projects and gardening, but spending time with his Lord and his family was by far his favorite activities.
Memorials may be directed to Hales Corners Lutheran Church Foundation, Concordia Seminary St. Louis Scholarship Fund, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
To God be the Glory!
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To Family, so sorry for ur lost he was great man.He married my husband and I 20 some years ago. He welcomed us in with open hands. He helped us through some new beginnings. He was best pastor we ever had. My thoughts and prays are with u at this time
Mary Philomine McQuown
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Pastor Johnson married us 43 years ago! He was kind, considerate and always warm to our family. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Sylvia, Carolyn, Brian, Jennifer and families: My heart broke when I received the news of my dear Pastor Keith’s passing. Yet, as a fellow child of God, I rejoiced in the knowledge that he is with his Lord and Savior, and at peace.
Pastor Keith touched my life and showed me so many truths as a pastor, mentor and friend.. The sermon he gave at our wedding 50 years ago this August, is one I still remember.
His friendship, kindness and big heart made him a member of our family. I know this is a metaphor of what heaven will be like, but I can see Pastor Keith and my folks sitting down to a piece of Mom’s apple pie, during a beautiful sunset in Heaven.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Just know that I love you all so much and I am sending hugs to everyone.
Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!
He married us 33 years this September on Labor Day weekend and one of the hottest days of the year. He baptized our daughter the following year. I still remember when we came to church and him saying what a beautiful day the only way that he could. His teachings and blessings will continue to live in all of us.
Pastor Keith was a kind and caring person, and a wonderful Christian example of how to “Be Jesus to others!”
My deepest condolences to all his family. May your memories be filled with the good times.
My heart is saddened to hear of the World’s loss of Pastor Johnson but Heaven gains one of the best. Pastor Keith married my husband and I 41 years ago. He always seemed to be there for our Family when we needed the word of the Lord at the highest and lowest points in our Family Life. I was baptized as a newborn by Pastor Kamrath and had the honor to live in the the love and care of many HCL Pastors. Pastor Johnson will always be one of my favorites. Thank You Pastor making the lives of our Family uplifted by God’s Word and Promise. To God be the Glory. Now Pastor lives in that eternal Glory. As Pastor told me as we planned my Mother’s funeral (Esther Christiansen) together, ‘she’s not dead, she has just changed her address’!
On behalf of everyone here at the Alzheimer’s Association – thank you so much for thinking of us at this time of loss to your family. Memorial donations made in Paster Johnson’s name will be put to immediate use serving families and supporting research. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dave Grams, Executive Director
I was sorry to hear the news of Pastor Johnson’s passing. Pastor Johnson was my favorite Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran in Wolsey. He introduced me to my first church camp at Lake Okoboji. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.