Door County icon Al Johnson died Saturday.
Myles Dannhausen Jr., the Peninsula Pulse, writes a very nice tribute.
Al Johnson, the man who put Sister Bay on the map, has died.
The restaurateur, WWII veteran, public servant, and grandfather to a village succumbed to complications from a pre-cancerous condition called Myelodysplastic Syndromes June 12 at age 84. Standing alone, his first and last name were the epitome of ordinary. Put together, they were Door County royalty. Al Johnson.
His restaurant was one of northern Door County’s largest employers. Countless area kids paid for their college educations with paychecks earned beneath Al’s famous grass roof. When former workers fell on hard times, he found a place for them, even if they had once left on bad terms.
His staff benefitted from the kind of security and perks rarely seen in the restaurant or tourism industries, helping employees make a life and raise a family in Northern Door. The tips earned by his waitresses have long been the envy of colleagues at other establishments. Those workers have spread their income around the village and the county, filling bars with dirndls (to the delight of many a visitor), and spending on groceries, clothing, and homes.
Dozens of marriages were forged and friendships formed under the grass roof. Talk at any length to someone who has known the Johnson family or worked at Al's, and eventually you'll hear a story about an act of kindness or generosity beyond what anyone would expect of their boss. Keeping the paychecks coming after an accident, taking back a former employee when they needed money or health insurance, or taking a kid to his first Packer game (in Al's famously great seats).
But the impact of Al Johnson’s reached beyond his own staff. Hundreds of articles have been written about the restaurant, introducing hundreds of thousands of new visitors to Door County, where they came “to see the goats on the roof.” Other businesses thrive on the overflow from Al’s, from the customers who come just to see it, or who make Sister Bay an annual stop because of it.
In July and August, those goats cause a one-block traffic jam, as enamored visitors crane their necks out of car windows to get a glimpse of the goats.
The goats.
September 2009
As a very little girl, one of my first family vacations was to Door County. It included a meal at Al Johnson's. Whenever we went to Door County, a stop at Al Johnson's was a must. I have no recollection at all of eating or sitting in the restaurant the first time I was there. Later visits were memorable not so much for the food but for the goats. Who could forget goats on a grass roof?
It's a very sweet memory. What's been especially sweet is being able to share it and to relive that treasured memory through the eyes of my own children.
In the following years, I've seen the goats many, many times. I don't go to Door County without having breakfast at Al Johnson's. Leaving the peninsula without a visit there would be a disappointment.
Pancakes and Swedish meatballs for breakfast. Lingonberries.
The restaurant holds a very special place in my heart.
From what I've read, Al Johnson was truly a special man.
Read Johnson's obituary, Casperson Funeral Home website:
Axel "Al" Albert Otto Johnson Al Johnson, 84, of Sister Bay, Door County, WI passed away on Saturday June 12Th, 2010 at Door County Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Al was the owner of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, WI for the past 61 years. He was born on December 9Th, 1925 in Chicago, IL to Peter Axel and Edith Sofia Johnson. Al spent his childhood between Chicago, Door County, and Sweden. He attended Holy Family grade school, St. Ignatius Prep., and graduated Marquette University. Prior to attending Marquette, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 where he volunteered for the 101st Airborne. After World War II, he finished his education at Marquette with a degree in criminology and philosophy. In 1949 he returned to Door County to open what is now Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butiks. On February 27Th, 1960 he married Ingert Maria Forsberg of Osterbymo, Sweden. Together they went on to raise their family and establish their business into an internationally known landmark (commonly referred to as "the place with the goats on the roof!"). Al Johnson was an active community member serving on the Gibraltar School Board, Sister Bay Village Board and Planning Committee, Door County Police Commission, and founding member of Scandia Retirement Village. Al had a love for a variety of interests: both cross country and downhill skiing, running, biking, scuba diving, animals, traveling, fishing, and gambling. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. Al Johnson is survived by his wife Ingert, his five children: Lars (Jill), Annika, Rolf (Lori), John (Emily), Dennis (Ellen), and his dog Torre. He has ten grandchildren: Bjorn, Thor, Bo, Jesper, Chase, Ethan, Taylyn, Trevon, Tyra, and Enya. Nieces: Laura Lee Bashaw and Patti Durham, and Nephews: Mike and Mark Liptrot. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mildred (Mrs. Frank Liptrot). Al had a special love for Sister Bay, people, and especially his employees. A memorial service will be held at Stella Maris Parish Catholic Church in Sister Bay on Friday June 18Th, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. with the Reverends Michael Brecke and Delmar Dahl officiating. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. prior to the service. The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the love and care given to Al at Door County Memorial Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the "Al Johnson Memorial Fund" in c/o Bay Lake Bank, Sister Bay, WI 54234. Online condolences may be made at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com
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Photos from the Al Johnson's 60th anniversary reunion.
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