Bruce Johnson

Mr. Bruce Johnson of Port Washington passed away at Lincoln Village in Port on Sunday morning, June 29, 2025, with his loving family by his side. He was 82 years old.

  Bruce was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on Jan. 31, 1943, the son of Donald E. and Eleanor (nee Fernstrom) Johnson.  

He attended local schools and graduated from Washburn High School, with the Class of 1961 before continuing his education at the University Minnesota-Minneapolis. He earned a degree in education in 1965 and took a teaching position in Kenyan, Minn.

  In 1968, Bruce heard about a new school opening in Port Washington, Wis., that needed teachers. He applied for a position at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and was soon accepted. Bruce served as a seventh grade teacher with the Port Washington-Saukville School District for 33 years, retiring in 2001. While at TJMS, he taught English, math and social studies and helped with numerous extracurricular activities, including theater and coaching basketball.

  On April 26, 1997, Bruce married Mary Sullivan at St. Sebastian Church in Milwaukee. 

The couple loved traveling, both throughout the United States and abroad, and took many wonderful trips to places that included the Rocky Mountains, Mount Rushmore, the Vatican, Vienna, Florence and Salsburg.  

Throughout his life, Bruce was an avid golfer.

  Survivors include his wife Mary of Port Washington, sister Marcia Johnson of Minnesota and sister-in-law Jane (Rick) Krutzik of Elkhorn. Bruce is further survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and former students.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law John T. Sullivan III.

  A memorial gathering will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington.

  The family is thankful for all the caregivers who helped ease Bruce on his journey.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.