Gail Marie Johnson, age 70, passed away at her residence on Sunday, October 8, 2023 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on July 11, 1953, Gail was the daughter of August and Marylln (Torrey) Zirbel.  She graduated from Westosha Central High School, Class of 1971.

On April 25, 1981, Gail was united in marriage to Charles “Chad” Johnson at Pleasant Prairie United Methodist Church.  Together they found a friendship, raised a family and built a beautiful marriage.

She was an active member in many organizations throughout her life including, volunteering at Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program, the Secretary/Treasurer for Bristol Driftbusters Snowmobile Club, Superintendent for Kenosha County Fair Horse Project, Leader and State Representative for Kenosha County 4-H Horse Project, Farm Bureau, Gate Supervisor for the State Expo Horse Show and Wisconsin Paint Horse Club and member and Treasurer for Pleasant Prairie United Methodist Church and spearheaded the pork chop and country breakfast fundraisers.

Gail was employed with Bristol Veterinary Service, Don Pittman Motors, Johnson Bank, Picture People, NSBA, Medline and Kenosha County Fair Association, retiring in 2018.

She loved showing dairy cattle as a youth, as well as attending and showing at horse shows in the Midwest with her daughter and friends.  In her spare time, Gail enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, tubing, bowling, playing and coaching softball and volleyball.

Gail leaves behind her loving husband, Charles “Chad” Johnson; her children, Brittany (Chad Daniels) Johnson, Rhonda King and Abby Schroeder; her grandchildren, Bryan King, Noah and Mason Schroeder and grandchildren in her heart, Kole, Kinzie and Keegan Daniels; her mother, Marylln Zirbel; her siblings, Charlene (Allen) Daniels, Robert (Wendy) Zirbel and David (Denise) Zirbel; her sisters-in-law, Judy (Robert) Lengacher and Gail (Harold) Burgess.

She was preceded in death by her father, August O. Zirbel; her in-laws, Dike V. (Mary L.) Johnson; her brother-in-law, Dike Bernard Johnson; her maternal grandparents, Roscoe and Etta Torrey and her paternal grandparents, August and Lena Zirbel.

Service Info

Funeral services honoring Gail’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI.

A visitation for Gail will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program, 1451 172^nd Ave, Union Grove, WI 53182 https://www.mtrpinc.org/ would be appreciated.