Dustin “Dusty” C. Johnson

Mt. Hope, WI - Dustin “Dusty” C. Johnson, age 60, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Sunday August 2, 2026, at his residence in rural Mt. Hope, Grant County, WI. He was born on September 30, 1965, in Madison, the son of Doug and Marlys (Good) Johnson. Dusty was united in marriage to Kathleen “Katy” Luer on April 4, 2004, in Madison.

Dusty was raised in Cottage Grove and graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1984, where he excelled in football as a running back. He continued both his education and football career at Mankato State University as middle linebacker and #43; he was a key contributor for the Mavericks, which led to the 1^st ever NCC Conference champions and NCAA D2 National playoffs in 1987.  Dusty earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with the goal of becoming a teacher and a coach.  Later in life, he furthered his education with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

Dusty began his teaching career at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam before moving to Darlington High School, where he taught math; coached football and baseball while also serving as an assistant coach for the Blackhawk baseball program.  Although he loved coaching many sports, football was his true passion and you would often hear him shouting, “Do Your Job” from the sidelines.

In 2003, he moved on to teach and coach football at Lake Geneva Badger High School and later also coached football at East Troy.  He then taught at Greendale High School before moving to his current residence in 2019, where he taught and coached at Boscobel High School until his retirement in 2023.  Although he moved throughout his career, every decision was driven by his desire to teach in the way he thought was best and to be where his ideas and teaching style was respected.

Dusty was independent, highly intelligent, opinionated and often sarcastic. He never hesitated to share his thoughts on education and had an incredible ability to solve even the most difficult of math problems.  To him, teaching was simply about learning.  He was straight forward and honest, yet respectful and kindhearted. His teaching style was in the form of storytelling - mostly appropriate stories - but always with the goal of helping students learn.   Dusty was not only a math teacher, but a guide and mentor who taught countless life lessons.

After retirement, Dusty continued substituting at schools throughout the area and had spent the last two years at Iowa Grant High School as a long-term substitute teacher and a mentor to fellow educators.

Dusty loved the outdoors and he and Katy would spend their time together fishing, camping, going to farmers markets, flea markets, and concerts; they also enjoyed attending Trapper’s, and his sisters, sporting events.  Dusty especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Godson Trapper as well as volunteering with youth sports, particularly with Highland youth football where he coached Trapper.  Dusty was always willing to lend a hand with construction projects, including building his own home with his good friends Tim, Randy, and Pete Hoffman with Trapper at their side. He also enjoyed cooking chicken with the Hoffmans for various fundraising events, weddings and parties.

Dusty will be remembered for his honest straight forward approach, kindheartedness, and his passion for teaching. He had a love for hunting, fishing, football and life itself.  Dusty will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Dusty is survived by his beloved wife Katy of Mt. Hope, dear Godson, Trapper Hoffman of Highland, brother David (Mari) Johnson of Oregon, niece Jenny Johnson and her Fiancé Justin Gurtner of Chicago, mother-in-law Linda Luer of Stoughton, sister-in-law Suzy Wentland of DeForest, nephew Ryan Wentland of DeForest, niece Emilee Wentland and her husband Niall McCormick of St. Paul, MN, and very special friends that became family; Pete and Deb Hoffman of Montfort along with their entire family, with special mention to Tim Hoffman, wife Amanda and their children Faith, Trapper, and Aurora.

Dusty was preceded in death by his parents, Doug and Marlys Johnson, father-in-law Gerry Luer, and brother-in-law Randy Wentland.