Virginia (Lee) JOHNSON

JOHNSON, CARLSON, LEE, MAHLER, MELBY, DAVIS, SIEBER, SIEBEN, ARCHER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/25/2006 at 23:02:43

VIRGINIA JOHNSON, 92 - MOTHER, SUPPER CLUB OWNER
Virginia Johnson of River Falls, who greeted customers as owner and hostess of the Virginian Supper Club from 1956 to 1974, died Feb. 17, 2004 of natural causes. She was 92. Born in Clarion, Iowa, Johnson spent much of her adult life in River Falls after she and her husband, Vernon, moved to the area from St. Paul to fulfill their dream of opening their own restaurant. In 1956, the couple bought a cornfield on U.S. 10, between Prescott and Ellsworth, and built the Virginian Supper Club. The bar opened on New Year's Eve of 1956, and a month later they began serving their famous charbroiled steaks. "My dad insisted that it be named after my mother," said Linda Carlson, her daughter. "But they really took a chance, because at that time it was really in the middle of nowhere." They built, and people came, said Arlene Siewelo of Prescott, a waitress at the Virginian from the first day it opened until she retired in 1988. "It was really busy. We had a lot of customers," Siewelo said. "And when it first opened, liquor was not sold in Minnesota on Sundays so we were really busy on Sundays. People would come to eat dinner and have drinks." People came from western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities for the charbroiled steaks, pork chops, chicken and lobster, Siewelo said. The staff even served a busload of hungry Chicago Bears, who stopped by unexpectedly one night. "Charbroiled steaks were new in the states back then," she said. "People didn't cook out like they do now, so people went there to get a taste of charbroiled food." Virginia continued to run the business after Vernon died in 1960. "She had someone who came forward shortly after my dad passed away who wanted to buy it, and she said no. She felt that she just wanted to continue the legacy," Carlson said. "But it was a lot of hard work for her." The Virginian, which remains open today, became the spot where couples and families would go to celebrate anniversaries and other special occasions. "It was a nice place if you had to entertain people, and it still is that way," Siewelo said. "The view was beautiful because there were windows on all sides. You could see the deer, birds and trees." Siewelo said Virginia was the ideal boss and a friendly hostess."She was very congenial to customers and staff," she said. Carlson said the restaurant survived because of the staff. "The people who worked for my mom and dad were more like family, and they worked hard," she said. "In fact, a lot of (them) had relatives who also worked there over the years."

Virginia also was a former member of the River Falls Golf Club, volunteered at the Lutheran Home in River Falls during the 1970s and enjoyed knitting, gardening and playing bridge with many friends. She moved into the Lutheran Home in November 1988 and lived there until she died. Services were held on Feb. 19 at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls. In addition to her daughter, Linda, she is survived by daughter, Susan Davis, brother, Robert Lee, and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

copyright Nick Ferraro
nferraro@pioneerpress.com
St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
February 28, 2004

Virginia Grace Johnson

Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend Age 92, of River Falls, WI. Died peacefully on February 17, 2004 at The Lutheran Home in River Falls. Preceded in death by husband, Vernon F. Johnson (1960); infant son, David Henry (1947); daughter, Virginia Mahler (1986); sisters, Florence Melby and Dorothy Lee; brother, Richard S. Lee, Rochester. Survived by daughters, Linda Carlson, St. Paul; Susan (Ed) Davis, Ft. Collins, CO; brother, Robert A. Lee, Rochester, MN; grandchildren, Whitney (Debra) Sieber, Lani (Jay) Archer, Bradley (Jennifer) Carlson, Eric Carlson; great grandchildren, Elliana and Gracen Sieben; as well as many loving family members and friends. A special thank you to the compassionate and caring staff at The Lutheran Home. Born in Clarion, IA to Estelle and Adolph Lee on July 24, 1911. Was employed by Minnesota, Mining and Manufacturing in the early 1950's. Former owner of the Virginian Supper Club 1956 - mid-1970's. She was a supportive friend to countless people throughout her life. She was known for her quick mind and sense of humor. Virginia was a member of the Ezekiel Lutheran Church and also volunteered in the 70's, delivering mail to residents at the Lutheran Home. She was an avid reader, enjoyed weekly bridge games with her friends, and golfing in the 60's and 70's as a former member of the River Falls Golf Club. Services at the Ezekiel Lutheran Church on Thursday, February 19, AT 11 AM. Reception following. Pastor John Henning officiating. Private interment Greenwood Cemetery, River Falls. Memorials preferred to The Lutheran Home, 640 North Main Street, River Falls, WI, 54022.

St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
February 18, 2004