Everett “Ev” Johnson, 90, passed away on September 24, 2017 at Gunderson Health Systems, La Crosse. Always the avid golfer, he passed just five days after his last round of golf.

Ev was born on October 7, 1926 to George and Ethel (Gear) Johnson and grew up in Onalaska with seven siblings.

Everett met the love of his life, Elvina “Vinie" during a chance game of shuffleboard. They were married March 3, 1952, in Caledonia, MN, and spent 47 lovely years together.

Beginning in his childhood and continuing on throughout his life, baseball was his passion. Ev’s professional baseball career began at an early age when he signed with the Chicago Cubs at 17 years old. His major league career was delayed by the war for nearly two years as he was stationed in Hawaii, where he played baseball in the Navy. Post-war he continued to play, working his way from farm teams to being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. After a career ending injury, he retired from baseball and returned to Onalaska. He spent 25 wonderful years playing his favorite game and the rest of his life supporting it.

Ev worked in construction as a bricklayer for 40 years. Along with golf, he was an avid bowler, finding him on the links or in the lanes of the Coulee Golf Bowl. He was a faithful member of North Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by step-daughter Noreen Twite of La Crosse; granddaughter Paula (Jim) Paulus of La Crosse, grandson Guff (Lana) Twite of Brownsville, MN; great-grandchildren Kelley (Chris) Baer of Broomfield, CO, Kara Paulus of Denver, CO, Alison Twite of Chicago, IL, Brandon Twite of Chicago, IL; great-great-grandchildren Ava and Brian Baer; brother Earl (Kathy) Johnson of Fond du Lac, sister Lorraine Hackett of Nevada, many nieces and nephews and good friend, Dave Skogen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brothers Francis, Tom, and Willard Johnson, sisters Bernice Meyer and Ila Killilea, great-granddaughter Katey Paulus, and step-son-in-law Ralph Twite.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, September 29, 2017, at the North Presbyterian Church, La Crosse. Burial will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church from 9:30am to time of service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated for North Presbyterian Church and the La Crosse Loggers Walk of Fame. Online condolences may be left at www.fossumfuneralhome.com.

Ev was a wonderful man with a warm and tender heart. We will miss you, Booger.