Remembrances of Al Johnson

Axel "Al" Johnson

(December 9, 1925 - June 12, 2010)
(Green Bay Press Gazette)

Axel "Al" Albert Otto Johnson, 84, Sister Bay, Door County, Wis., passed away on Saturday June 12, 2010, at Door County Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Al was the owner of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, Wis., for the past 61 years. He was born on Dec. 9, 1925, in Chicago, Ill., to Peter Axel and Edith Sofia Johnson. Al spent his childhood between Chicago, Door County, and Sweden. He attended Holy Family grade school, St. Ignatius Prep., and graduated Marquette University. Prior to attending Marquette, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 where he volunteered for the 101st Airborne. After World War II, he finished his education at Marquette with a degree in criminology and philosophy.

In 1949, he returned to Door County to open what is now Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butiks. On Feb. 27, 1960, he married Ingert Maria Forsberg of Osterbymo, Sweden. Together they went on to raise their family and establish their business into an internationally known landmark (commonly referred to as "the place with the goats on the roof!"). Al Johnson was an active community member serving on the Gibraltar School Board, Sister Bay Village Board and Planning Committee, Door County Police Commission, and founding member of Scandia Retirement Village. Al had a love for a variety of interests: both cross country and downhill skiing, running, biking, scuba diving, animals, traveling, fishing, and gambling. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Bears fan.

Al Johnson is survived by his wife, Ingert; his five children, Lars (Jill), Annika, Rolf (Lori), John (Emily), Dennis (Ellen), and his dog Torre. He has ten grandchildren, Bjorn, Thor, Bo, Jesper, Chase, Ethan, Taylyn, Trevon, Tyra, and Enya; nieces, Laura Lee Bashaw and Patti Durham, and nephews, Mike and Mark Liptrot. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mildred (Mrs. Frank Liptrot). Al had a special love for Sister Bay, people, and especially his employees.

A memorial service will be held at Stella Maris Parish Catholic Church in Sister Bay on Friday, June 18, 2010, at 6 p.m. with the Reverends Michael Brecke and Delmar Dahl officiating. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. prior to the service.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the love and care given to Al at Door County Memorial Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the "Al Johnson Memorial Fund" in c/o Bay Lake Bank, Sister Bay, WI 54234. Online condolences may be made at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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Remembrances of Al Johnson
Photo Credits: Various
Axel "Al" Johnson (December 9, 1925 - June 12, 2010) (Green Bay Press Gazette) Click for An Enlarged Photo Axel "Al" Albert Otto Johnson, 84, Sister Bay, Door County, Wis., passed away on Saturday June 12, 2010, at Door County Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Al was the owner of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, Wis., for the past 61 years. He was born on Dec. 9, 1925, in Chicago, Ill., to Peter Axel and Edith Sofia Johnson. Al spent his childhood between Chicago, Door County, and Sweden. He attended Holy Family grade school, St. Ignatius Prep., and graduated Marquette University. Prior to attending Marquette, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 where he volunteered for the 101st Airborne. After World War II, he finished his education at Marquette with a degree in criminology and philosophy. In 1949, he returned to Door County to open what is now Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butiks. On Feb. 27, 1960, he married Ingert Maria Forsberg of Osterbymo, Sweden. Together they went on to raise their family and establish their business into an internationally known landmark (commonly referred to as "the place with the goats on the roof!"). Al Johnson was an active community member serving on the Gibraltar School Board, Sister Bay Village Board and Planning Committee, Door County Police Commission, and founding member of Scandia Retirement Village. Al had a love for a variety of interests: both cross country and downhill skiing, running, biking, scuba diving, animals, traveling, fishing, and gambling. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. Al Johnson is survived by his wife, Ingert; his five children, Lars (Jill), Annika, Rolf (Lori), John (Emily), Dennis (Ellen), and his dog Torre. He has ten grandchildren, Bjorn, Thor, Bo, Jesper, Chase, Ethan, Taylyn, Trevon, Tyra, and Enya; nieces, Laura Lee Bashaw and Patti Durham, and nephews, Mike and Mark Liptrot. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mildred (Mrs. Frank Liptrot). Al had a special love for Sister Bay, people, and especially his employees. A memorial service will be held at Stella Maris Parish Catholic Church in Sister Bay on Friday, June 18, 2010, at 6 p.m. with the Reverends Michael Brecke and Delmar Dahl officiating. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. prior to the service. The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the love and care given to Al at Door County Memorial Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the "Al Johnson Memorial Fund" in c/o Bay Lake Bank, Sister Bay, WI 54234. Online condolences may be made at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.
Letter to the Editor Gerhard Bernhard) When I heard the sad news about Al Johnson's passing I immediately recalled one of his countless acts of generosity and love for things Scandinavian. While making plans for the second annual Door County Folk Festival in 1981 I was approached by the agent of a traveling dance troupe from Kristiansund, Norway. The 45 musicians and dancers were sponsored by the Canadian Government as part of a cultural exchange. The agent mentioned that the group was interested in presenting a folklore show in Door County during a stop-over on their way to Minnesota. The date was perfect as it coincided with the opening day of the festival. However, housing was very scarce during the height of the tourist season and accommodations for such a large group was simply unavailable. Since I knew Al and Ingert loved the idea of Norwegians presenting a show I approached them for suggestions as to how this could be pulled off in terms of housing. During the conversation the idea of putting the visitors up with local Norwegian families in the Ephraim and Sister Bay came up. Through the help of Reverend Wolfram Fliegel's announcement at the Moravian Church and Solbjorg Daubner's tireless coordinating efforts, there were soon more than enough volunteers who gladly opened their homes for the Norwegian visitors. Two of them even requested Norwegians who did not speak English so they could practice their language skills! The next day Al called saying he was excited about the project and would like to help out. I met him at the restaurant and was practically in tears when I saw Al write a generous check to support my efforts; this was especially meaningful since the festival was struggling financially! His support and encouragement were welcome gestures. Al called again saying he needed 20 tickets so that some of his employees could enjoy the show at Gibraltar HS. I would have been glad to just give him the tickets but, as another pleasant surprise, he insisted in paying for the tickets as well! Thank you again, Al for touching so many people's lives in a positive way! We shall miss you! Gerhard Bernhard, Founder and Co-Director, Door County Folk Festival, www.dcff.net

Letter to the Editor (Paul Collins) I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Al Johnson's passing. It goes without saying that Al was one of the most significant icons in Door County. While not a resident of Door County, I have been heavily involved in the Door County Folk Festival for thirty-one years, first as an assistant to Gerhard Bernard in 1980 and 1981 and then and as a co-director since 1982. Back in January of 1982, Gerhard and I were eating lunch in Al's Restaurant and as I recall Al waited on our table personally. On that very day we decided to become partners and to redesign the festival into an event that now attracts hundreds of visitors annually to Northern Door. There have been many things that Al Johnson has done each year to contribute to the ambiance and well-being of the festival. We thank Al for over thirty years of behind-the-scenes support. Paul Collins - Chicago, Illinois Co-Director, Door County Folk Festival, www.dcff.net

Al Johnson's Restaurant Themed Photos - Submited by Various Festival Participants

Sunday Morning Breakfast at Al's	Sunday Morning Breakfast at Al's	Sunday Morning Breakfast at Al's
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Goats on the Roof #1	Goats on the Roof #2	Goats on the Roof #3
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Goats on the Roof #4
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Photo Credits: Various