Conrad Ronnei Johnstad

Conrad Ronnei Johnstad

Eau Claire, WI

Conrad Ronnei Johnstad (aka Connie Johns) — Northfield, Wisconsin welcomed my entry into this world on August 20, 1925.

Iver (barber and musician) and wife, Olga, were the celebrants of my birth. Shortly thereafter, we moved to Pigeon Falls where father plied his trade. Our family was complete when we were joined by my three sisters, Lorraine, Donna, and Randvig, and two brothers, Rev. Rolfe and Rev. Ronald. We were blessed to have parents who loved and made music. As a result, music making has become a Johnstad legacy.

Upon my graduation from Whitehall High School in 1943, I joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was soon shipped out for active duty at Peleliu Island in the South Pacific. In 1946, I received an honorable discharge and returned home to follow in my father's footsteps and became a barber and professional musician.

I fell in love and married Violet Haugen from Hudson in 1950. From this union, we became proud parents of Jodelle, Sheryl, Steven, Melinda, Dusty, and Jason. We were blessed to raise Terry Shock as our own from the age of ten.

I was blessed again to meet Kathleen Hagen and her nine-year-old son, David Dermer, in 1979. Kathleen started playing in my band the next year and three years later we got married and moved into our present home.

There was always room at our table for another. Many a meal, especially those featuring lutefisk and/or lefse, were begun with the Norwegian table prayer: I Jesu navn gar vi til bords, Spise og drikke pa ditt ord, Deg Gud til aere, oss til gavn, Sa far vi mat i Jesu navn.

My life has been varied and interesting. I spent many years working as a barber for the developmentally handicapped at Northern Center. For 75 years of my long life, it has been my great privilege to have played and sung the music I love to countless wonderful people across the Tri-State area who loved my music. Whether a barn dance in York, a dinner club in Milwaukee, a ballroom in Minneapolis, or Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona — it's been such a trip! And to the hundreds of fine dedicated musicians with whom I have had the honor of sharing the stage, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I am survived by my loving wife, Kathleen; brother, Rev. Rolfe (Margie) Johnstad; sister, Randvig (Douglas) Norvold; daughters, Jodelle Harris, Sheryl (Edward) Wilkinson, and Dusty (Bill) Millard; sons, Steven Johnstad, Jason (Kylie) Johnstad, and David Dermer; grandchildren, Shannon (Laurie), Blake, Matthew and Nick Rutledge, Angela Johnstad, Sarah (Juergen) Viktor, Adam, Laura and Jessica Kreutzfeldt, Jordyn and Evan Johnstad, Brad Millard, and Shelly Snyder; great grandchildren, Samuel and Josephine Kreutzfeldt, Alexis and Carley Rutledge, Fisher and Ogden Viktor, Addison May, Brooklynn, Tyler and Bailey Millard, and Kade Snyder; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding me in death were my parents, Iver and Olga (Ronnei) Johnstad; beloved daughter, Melinda Rutledge; son, Terry Shock; former wife, Violet Johnstad; brother, Rev. Ronald Johnstad; sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna and Wally Hanson and Lorraine and Dale Heine.

Music, dancing, laughter, love — all gifts from God to lighten our load as we journey through this incredible existence. Assured of God's love and forgiveness for all of us, I leave you now this lovely 18th day of May, 2016 with His blessing. Love, Connie.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God." I John 4:7

A Musical Celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, June 19, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until the late evening at the VFW Post 305 on Starr Avenue in Eau Claire.

Evergreen Funeral Home and Crematory of Eau Claire is serving the family. To send your condolence to the family, please visit our obituaries at http://www.evergreenfuneralhome.com.