Charles McFarlane Johnson, 100, passed away Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at Home Again in Columbus. He was born July 12, 1925, in Columbus to Theron and Esther (McFarlane) Johnson. Charlie married Joan L. Rademacher on Sept. 23, 1950, in East Bristol. They raised six children on their farm in the Town of Elba in rural Columbus. Charlie believed in service to his community, and he lived that ethic. As a member of St. Jerome Parish, he was instrumental in getting St. Jerome School built in the 1950s and in creating the parish's endowment fund. He achieved Fourth Degree status in the Knights of Columbus, and in his later years he could be seen around town offering Tootsie Rolls for donations to the KCs' charity for people with intellectual disabilities. While still farming, Charlie was on the Town of Elba Zoning Commission and was a member and director of the Dodge County Farm Bureau. He also was known for shearing sheep for other farmers, up to 3,000 sheep in peak years. Charlie and Joan "retired" from farming and moved to Columbus in March 1989. When he wasn't helping other farmers (working "from 8 to 6, instead of 6 to 8" was his idea of retirement), Charlie served nine years on the Columbia County Board.

Survivors include children Paul (Diana) of Madison, Jeanne (Dan) Wendtland of DeForest, Randall of Columbus, Richard (Patti) of Columbus, Mary (Mike) Supple of Richfield, MN, and Julie (Jeff) Miles of Fall River; 11 grandchildren Angela (Ed) Blau, Sara (Chris Keller) Johnson, Jake (Brian Grill) Wendtland, Kristi Wendtland, Jack (Jenn) Wendtland, Shane (Courtney) Johnson, Nicole (Justin) Schueler, Ashley (Corey) Feiock, Jonathan (Maranda) Miles, Emily (Dewayne Walls) DeLeo, and Greg (Cristina Hernandez) Hague; 15 great-grandchildren Claudia and Walter Blau, Paul and Bennie Keller, Vincent and Lucia DeLeo, Carmen Hague, Cole and Dawson Wendtland, Everett Grilland, Jordan and Payton Johnson, Charles and Corrine Schueler, and Adeline Feiock; his sister-in-law Francoise Johnson; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife Joan; brothers Douglas and Jim; sister Phyllis; brothers-in-law Richard and Robert Rademacher and Donald Johanning; sisters-in-law Mildred Johnson and Ethel and Frances Rademacher and his dear friend Mary Derr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Saturday Nov. 8, 2025, at ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH in Columbus, preceded by visitation at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the Mass. Father Jim Leeser will officiate. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Columbus.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Jerome Endowment Fund. Charlie's family is very grateful for the care and compassion of the staff at Home Again and Generations Hospice.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with Charlie's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com