Br. Pauli Johnson O.F.M

Br. Pauli Johnson, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar of the Sacred Heart Province, died on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the age of 89, at St. Mary’s Home at Felician Village in Manitowoc, WI.

Br. Pauli was born in Columbus, NE, on March 21, 1933, to Michael Robert Johnson and Anne Mary (Ruth) Johnson.  Given the name, Michael, he was baptized and confirmed at St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus, NE.  After his years of education in Columbus, he was received into the Franciscan novitiate of the Sacred Heart Province in Teutopolis, IL, on July 4, 1955, and given the religious name of Paulinus.  He made his solemn profession as a Franciscan friar in Cleveland, OH, on July 5, 1959.

The friary kitchen was home to Br. Pauli for much of the next 60 years as he served his brothers as a cook and a baker, and the local parish communities as sacristan.  This service took Br. Pauli to friaries in Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas where he was loved and appreciated by all who came to know him, his cooking and his ministry.  He was famous for his lamb cakes at Easter, ginger bread houses at Christmas, and many different breads and cookies that he provided for the communities he served.  Br. Pauli was especially proud of the many servers he trained over the years.

During his final years of service, from 2010 to 2016, at St. Anthony’s in St. Louis, MO, he suffered a stroke, which necessitated his move to Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, WI.  With declining health, he moved to St. Mary’s Nursing Home for the final three years of his life.

Br. Pauli was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Aloysius, and his sister, Mildred Johnson, both of Glendale, AZ.  He is survived by his Franciscan brothers, a sister, Ruth Norre, from Sun City, AZ, and a niece, Debbie, and a nephew, Michael.

The Franciscan community would like to express our deep appreciation and assurance of prayers for the staff at St. Mary’s Home at Felician Village for the care they gave Br. Pauli the last three years.  We are also grateful for the care of Holy Family Memorial Hospice the last weeks of his life.

Funeral Services will be held at the Chapel at Calvary Cemetery in Manitowoc, WI, on Tuesday, June 21, with a visitation at 9:00 AM and a funeral liturgy at 10:00 AM, followed by burial in the friars’ plot.

In your kindness, please consider making a donation in memory of Br. Pauli Johnson, OFM, for the continued care of our retired Franciscan brothers and priests.  Any donation would be greatly appreciated.  Please send your charitable contribution to Blessed Giles Friary, 1820 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc, WI, 54220.  May God bless you.

The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, WI, is assisting the friars with funeral arrangements.

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