Helen M. Ford Johnston

Helen M. Johnston, age 95, of Plymouth, passed away on Saturday, March 4, at Rocky Knoll Health Care Center. Helen was born on February 8, 1922, in Waldo, to the late Dale and Maila (Andrus) Ford who were Town of Lyndon residents all their lives. Helen spent most of her life as a resident of Lyndon except for ten years in Fond du Lac and until she moved to Plymouth in 1996. Helen is a 1939 graduate of Waldo high School. She was instrumental in organizing the class of 1939 reunions. Following high school, Helen spent one year at the Sheboygan County University of Wisconsin Extension and then worked for a year at Plymouth Hospital. She then continued her schooling at Fond du Lac Business College and graduated with degrees in Business Education and Medical Secretary. For ten years she worked in Fond du Lac offices and medical clinics. Helen then returned to Waldo and began her 30 year career in banking in Sheboygan County. Helen later went to work for the family business, Ford Farms, in the office. In 1960, Helen married R. Willard Johnston and the lived at Ford Farms all their married life. Helen was very interested in genealogy and the preservation of family history. She also interested in the history of the Town of Lyndon, the village of Waldo, Sheboygan County, and the State of Wisconsin. Throughout her lifetime, Helen was involved in numerous civic, service, fraternal, Masonic, and social organizations at both the local and state levels including: The Waldo Chapter of the Wisconsin Division of Service Star Legion Inc., where she served as the Chapters President; the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King where she served as the Memorial Committee Secretary/Treasurer; the Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Plymouth Chapter, where she served as the State of Wisconsin Treasurer and also was elected to many local offices; the Wisconsin Society SAR Historical Restoration Board of Surgeons Quarters at Portage; Loyalty Chapter#118; the Order of the Eastern Star; Plymouth Court Order of the Amaranth, where she served as Royal Matron. Helen spent many years volunteering her time to the Sheboygan Comprehensive Complex and also at various Veteran Hospitals throughout the state of Wisconsin. She was a member of Pi Rho Zeta Sorority, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and Business Womens Sorority. Helen enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, and bowling. She bowled league in Cascade, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan. She enjoyed knitting, reading, and playing cards. Helen and her mother traveled to DAR and Service Star Legion meetings throughout the state of Wisconsin as well as to national meetings and places of interest. On Behalf of the Continental Congress National Board of Directors, Helen conducted DAR tours to Washington D.C. for annual meetings. She also conducted a tour to the Appalachian area WSDAR School in the southeastern sates. Helen and her husband traveled with friends all around the state of Wisconsin and throughout the United States to many historic Areas. Helen, Willard and their friends spent a lot of time in Northern Wisconsin at their cottage where the men fished or hunted and the women socialized and enjoyed each others company. Survivors include a brother, Charles (Johanna) Ford; nieces and nephews, Charles (Dawn) Ford of Cedar Grove, Brain (Brian) Ford of California, Peggy (Alan) Preder of Sheboygan Falls, Mark (Dave) Ford of North Carolina, Jennifer (David) Labadie of Minnesota, and Edward Ford of Richland Center; Helen is also survived by nieces and nephews of her brother William, Jean (Joe) Conrad of Indiana, Eunice (Kenneth) Grebe of Plymouth, Susan (John) Slattery of Cascade, David (Kendra) Ford of Cascade, and Jeffrey of Plymouth. Helen is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents Dale in 1973 and Maila in 1976; her husband Willard in 1991; a brother William in 1979; and a sister-in-law Ruth in 2011. Funeral services for Helen will be held 1 PM on Sunday, March 12 at Wittkopp Funeral and Cremation Service. Order of the Eastern Star and an Amaranth Service will be conducted at 1 Pm with a service to follow with Rev. DuWayne Hanke officiating. Burial will be in the Winooski Cemetery, Plymouth. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home, 123 South St. on Sunday from 11 AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. A memorial fund has been established in Helens name. Helens family would like to thank Rocky Knoll Health Care Center for their comfort and compassion during Helens stay.

Funeral Service

Sunday, March 12, 2017 1:00 PM
Wittkopp Funeral and Cremation Service
123 South Street Plymouth 53073, United States