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Dennis “Rat” Johnson passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 7, 2025.

He was born October 5, 1958, in Oshkosh to Richard and Helen (Davis) Johnson.

Dennis attended Winneconne Schools. On September 9, 1988, he married Darcy Schwertfeger.

Dennis held many jobs throughout his life which included trapping, turtling, and harvesting vegetation. He worked at E. R. Wagners, Johnson Bros Siding, and Lil Dave’s (he was always busy). He semi-retired in 2024.

Dennis had many hobbies: set lining, ice fishing, sturgeon spearing, fishing on the Wolf with his brother, deer, grouse, woodcock, duck, and deer hunting. He always looked forward to the annual deer hunt and time spent with Digger Berndt and “Grub” in Tomahawk. He enjoyed his trips to the Dakotas and Canada. Dennis had a green thumb when it came to gardening and was already planning this year’s “crop”. Lawn care was another one of his specialties.

He was a Brewer, Badger, Bucks, and Packer fan and enjoyed watching the games.

Dennis’ favorite place was the deer shack in Tomahawk. He was looking forward to going North to finish the bridge and getting ready for his new hunting companion (expected in May). Dennis loved dogs and had Chesapeakes, a German shorthair, and an English pointer. He certainly excelled at training them.

Family meant everything to Dennis. He leaves behind: his wife, Darcy; his sisters, Susan Zehner and her children Lisa (Pete), Adam (Amanda), and Ben (Emily); Carole (Randy) Carow and their son Ryan; brother, Robert (June) and children, Robbi (Chris), Jackie (John), Jody (Mike), and Joe; mother-in-law, Janice; sister-in-law, Sue (Bob) Bushman and their son Kyle; brother-in-law, Bruce Schwertfeger. He is also survived by great-nieces and great-nephews.  Dennis loved spending time with his nieces and nephews and enjoyed hunting and fishing with them.

Along with his parents Richard and Helen, Dennis was also preceded in death by his father-in-law, James Schwertfeger; his hunting companions (his girls) Missy, Tobi, Tanner, and Drifter; and his friends, Steve W., Dave W., Bill L., Norm, Bob M., John G., and Marty.   

Dennis was a sensitive and kind person. He was always willing to help people when they needed it. Dennis was a “people person”; he would strike up conversations with people he didn’t know, usually about hunting or hunting dogs (but not limited to). He enjoyed cooking and was a great chef.

Per Dennis’ wishes there will be no service.

Please consider donating to the American Heart Association or Oshkosh Animal Shelter in memory of Dennis.

Special thanks to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Dept, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and Mueller Funeral Home for their kind assistance during this difficult time. Another thanks to Nick for helping as well, he would have appreciated knowing you were there.

Mueller Funeral Home is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.