Discover Lois Denhard’s inspiring biography, her 63-year marriage to Ernie Johnson Sr., Chicago roots, three children, and enduring legacy in sports broadcasting. Complete life story and family background.
Quick Facts About Lois Denhard age
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lois Margery Denhard Johnson |
| Nickname | “Lolo” |
| Birth Date | June 10, 1928 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Death Date | January 17, 2023 |
| Age at Death | 94 years old |
| Parents | Carl Lawrence Denhard (father), Edna Kuny Denhard (mother) |
| Spouse | Ernie Johnson Sr. (married 1947-2011) |
| Marriage Duration | 63+ years |
| Children | Dawn Johnson, Chris Johnson, Ernie Johnson Jr. |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Residence | Roswell/Atlanta, Georgia (from 1960s) |
| Burial Site | Green Lawn Cemetery, Roswell, Georgia |
Lois Denhard Biography: Early Life and Chicago Background
Lois Margery Denhard was born on June 10, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Carl Lawrence Denhard and Edna Kuny Denhard. Growing up during the challenging years of the Great Depression in the 1920s and 1930s, Lois developed values of hard work, resilience, and determination that would define her entire life.
Her childhood in Chicago’s bustling neighborhoods shaped her character in profound ways. The economic hardships of the era taught her to appreciate simple pleasures and understand the importance of family unity. These formative experiences in Chicago created a foundation of strength and compassion that would serve her throughout her life.
The Denhard family emphasized education, integrity, and service to others—principles that weren’t just discussed but lived daily. This upbringing during America’s most challenging economic period fostered Lois’s natural inclination toward community involvement and helping others. Her Chicago roots remained an important part of her identity even after she relocated to Vermont and later Georgia.
The Love Story: How Lois Denhard Met Ernie Johnson
Lois Denhard met Ernie Johnson in 1946 when he returned home to Brattleboro, Vermont after serving in the Marines during World War II. Their first encounter reads like a scene from a classic American romance novel.
Lois was a high school senior working as a cheerleader when Ernie attended a basketball game. “He was sitting up in the balcony with one of his dates. We cheerleaders were jumping up and down doing our cheers, and I looked up in the balcony and he looked at me and we both smiled and that was the start. It was love at first sight in a way,” Lois recalled years later.
At the time of their meeting, Ernie was pursuing his baseball dreams after military service, while Lois was completing her high school education. Their connection was immediate and genuine, built on shared values and complementary strengths. When Lois asked what Ernie did for a living and he replied “play baseball,” she initially thought he was joking—her skepticism only changed after seeing his first minor-league paycheck.
Their courtship flourished in post-war America, a time when the country was rebuilding and opportunities were expanding. What drew them together wasn’t just physical attraction but a deep alignment of values, faith, and life goals.
Lois Denhard and Ernie Johnson: A 63-Year Marriage Partnership
Lois Denhard and Ernie Johnson were married in 1947, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades and become legendary in sports broadcasting circles. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on November 15, 2010, just months before Ernie Sr.’s passing.
Their marriage represented far more than a traditional union—it was a true partnership built on enduring love, mutual respect, and unwavering support. The early years brought both opportunities and challenges as they navigated Ernie’s emerging career in professional baseball, which required constant travel and relocations from Hartford to Milwaukee to Boston.
Lois understood that being a supportive partner in the demanding world of professional sports required special dedication and flexibility. She created a stable home environment that Ernie could count on, regardless of his travel schedule or career pressures. Her ability to maintain this stability became legendary among their friends and colleagues.
The marriage weathered numerous challenges: the uncertainty of minor league baseball, Ernie’s transition from player to broadcaster, multiple relocations including the Braves’ move from Milwaukee to Atlanta in the 1960s, and the demands of raising three children while supporting a high-profile career. Through it all, their bond only grew stronger.
Lois Denhard Children: Raising a Family with Strong Values
Together, Lois and Ernie welcomed three children who would all benefit from their mother’s dedication to values-based parenting. Their children are Dawn Johnson, Chris Johnson, and Ernie Johnson Jr., each carrying forward the principles their mother instilled.
Ernie Johnson Jr.: Following in Father’s Footsteps
The most publicly known of their children, Ernie Johnson Jr., followed his father into sports broadcasting and became an Emmy Award-winning host for TNT’s “Inside the NBA.” The younger Ernie has often spoken about his mother’s influence on his life and career, describing her as his best friend and biggest supporter.
During Ernie Sr.’s emotional final broadcast in 1999, Ernie Jr., then 43, told his dad on air: “When I grow up, I want to be just like you”—a testament to the family values both parents had cultivated.
According to family accounts, even at age 90, Lois never missed an episode of her son’s show. She would watch “Inside the NBA” faithfully and Ernie Jr. would call her after broadcasts to discuss the show. Her pride in his accomplishments was evident to everyone who knew the family.
Dawn and Chris Johnson: Continuing the Legacy of Service
Daughters Dawn and Chris both became teachers, choosing careers centered on service and education—values their mother had emphasized throughout their upbringing. Both daughters have maintained relatively private lives while building meaningful careers that reflect the principles Lois taught them.
Lois’s approach to motherhood wasn’t just about providing for physical needs but about nurturing emotional growth and moral development. She believed in being present for small moments as well as big milestones, making every family gathering feel special and meaningful. Her parenting philosophy centered on teaching moral values through everyday actions, encouraging individual talents while emphasizing family unity, and providing unwavering emotional support during challenging times.
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Supporting Ernie Johnson’s Career: The Foundation of Success
Behind Ernie Johnson Sr.’s successful transition from baseball player to beloved sports commentator was Lois Denhard’s unwavering support and understanding. Her contribution to his career went far beyond traditional spousal support—she was his confidante, advisor, and biggest cheerleader.
From Baseball Player to Broadcasting Legend
Ernie Johnson Sr.’s baseball career spanned the 1950s, including memorable relief appearances during the Milwaukee Braves’ 1957 World Series victory over the New York Yankees. When his playing days ended with the Baltimore Orioles in 1959, he signed a contract to broadcast Braves games, beginning a second career that would last four decades.
Johnson worked Braves games for TBS from 1962 until 1999, becoming known as “Uncle Ernie” for his laid-back broadcasting style. His 52-year association with the Braves was the longest of any person in the organization—a tenure made possible by the stable home life Lois created.
The Move to Atlanta
When the Braves relocated from Milwaukee to Atlanta in the mid-1960s, Lois and the family made the move as well. Johnson came to Atlanta in 1965, one year before the Braves moved there from Milwaukee, to do advance public-relations work and set up a radio network. This transition required Lois to uproot the family and establish new connections in an unfamiliar city—a challenge she handled with characteristic grace.
For much of the 1970s and 1980s, Ernie’s broadcasting abilities were tested by bad teams that played before sparse crowds. Through losing seasons and difficult times, Lois provided the emotional support that allowed him to maintain his enthusiasm and love for the game.
Recognition and Appreciation
On September 2, 1989, when the Braves held “Ernie Johnson Appreciation Night,” the attendance exceeded 42,000—the largest crowd for a Braves home game that entire season. The last-place team that averaged just 12,000 fans per game drew more than three times that number to honor Ernie. During the ceremony, he described it as the greatest day he had ever had and something “Lois and the whole family will never forget.”
When career decisions needed to be made, Lois provided the wisdom and perspective that allowed Ernie to take calculated risks. Her quiet influence helped shape many of the choices that defined his broadcasting career, though she never sought credit for her contributions.
Lois Denhard’s Community Service and Faith
While Lois Denhard never sought public recognition, her commitment to community service and faith left a lasting impact on those around her. Her Catholic faith wasn’t just a Sunday activity—it was a daily practice that guided her decision-making and relationships.
Friends and neighbors remember her as someone who embodied compassion, kindness, and a genuine desire to help others. She participated in church activities, supported local charitable causes, and served as a moral compass for many in her community. Her approach to service was rooted in the belief that small acts of kindness create ripples that extend far beyond a single household.
Lois’s involvement in community service taught her children by example the importance of giving back. This emphasis on service to others became a cornerstone of the Johnson family legacy, with each of her children pursuing careers or activities that help others.
Life in Atlanta and Later Years
After relocating to the Atlanta area in the 1960s, Lois Denhard made Georgia her permanent home. The family settled in Roswell, a suburb north of Atlanta, where they became active members of the community. She attended St. Jude of the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, where her faith community provided support and friendship for decades.
Lois remained vibrant and energetic throughout her later years. Family members described her personality as lively and engaging—Ernie Jr. once described his mother as “Betty White on steroids,” a testament to her sharp wit and sense of humor that lasted well into her 90s.
Even after becoming a widow following Ernie Sr.’s death in 2011, Lois maintained her independence and social connections. She lived independently for most of her later years, enjoyed dining out with friends and family, and remained deeply involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
When Ernie Johnson Sr. died on August 12, 2011, at age 87, “his wife was with him when he died. ‘I was with him last night right until the end,’ Lois Johnson said. ‘It was so sad.'” After 63 years of marriage, losing her life partner was devastating, yet she continued to embody the strength and resilience that had characterized her entire life.
Lois Denhard Obituary and Passing
Lois Marjorie “Lolo” Denhard Johnson passed away on January 17, 2023, at the age of 94. She spent her final years in the Atlanta area, surrounded by the family she had devoted her life to nurturing.
According to family accounts, Lois remained mentally sharp and socially active until the end of her life. She passed away peacefully after living a long, fulfilling life marked by love, faith, and service to others. Her death came nearly 12 years after her husband Ernie Sr. had passed, reuniting the couple who had built such an enduring partnership.
Lois was laid to rest at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell, Georgia—the same cemetery where her husband had been buried with military honors in 2011. The cemetery became their final resting place together, symbolizing a partnership that death could not diminish.
Her funeral was attended by family, friends, and members of the sports broadcasting community who had witnessed firsthand the foundation she provided for her family’s success. Tributes poured in celebrating not just her role as Ernie Johnson Sr.’s wife, but as a remarkable woman in her own right who had touched countless lives through her kindness and devotion.
The Lasting Legacy of Lois Denhard
Lois Denhard’s legacy extends far beyond her role as the wife of a sports broadcasting legend. Her true achievement lies in the values she instilled, the lives she touched, and the family foundation she built that continues to influence future generations.
Impact on Her Children
The clearest evidence of Lois’s lasting influence can be seen in her children’s lives. Dawn and Chris both chose careers in education, dedicating themselves to shaping young minds—a calling that reflects their mother’s emphasis on service and nurturing others. Ernie Jr.’s success in broadcasting, combined with his reputation for integrity and humility, demonstrates the character formation Lois prioritized.
Ernie Jr. has spoken publicly about his mother’s influence, crediting her with teaching him the importance of faith, family, and maintaining perspective amid professional success. His own approach to fatherhood and marriage reflects the model his parents provided.
The Johnson Family Foundation
The values Lois and Ernie instilled in their children have extended through the Johnson family’s charitable work. The principles of faith, community service, and helping others that Lois emphasized continue through various charitable initiatives and community involvement by family members.
A Model Partnership
For those in the sports broadcasting community and beyond, Lois and Ernie Johnson’s marriage became a model of what a successful partnership looks like. Their 63-year marriage demonstrated how mutual support, shared values, and unwavering commitment can sustain a relationship through decades of challenges and changes.
Quiet Strength and Influence
Perhaps Lois Denhard’s most significant legacy is demonstrating that profound impact doesn’t require public recognition. Her influence was quiet but deep, shaping her family and community through daily acts of love, support, and service. She proved that the most important work often happens away from spotlights and cameras—in living rooms, at dinner tables, and through countless small moments of guidance and care.
In an era that often celebrates loud achievement and public success, Lois’s life reminds us that building strong families, supporting loved ones’ dreams, and serving one’s community with humility are achievements of the highest order. Her legacy lives on in the three children she raised, the seven grandchildren she influenced, and the countless individuals whose lives she touched through her kindness and faith.
Conclusion: Remembering Lois Denhard
Lois Margery Denhard Johnson lived 94 years filled with love, faith, and quiet service to others. From her childhood in Depression-era Chicago to her decades as the anchor of the Johnson family in Atlanta, she exemplified values that transcend any single era or generation.
Her biography tells the story of a woman who chose to invest in relationships rather than recognition, who built a family foundation rather than seeking fame, and who understood that true greatness comes from serving others. Behind Ernie Johnson Sr.’s successful broadcasting career stood this remarkable woman whose support made it all possible.
Today, as Ernie Johnson Jr. continues his father’s legacy in sports broadcasting, he carries forward not just his father’s profession but the values both parents instilled. When viewers watch him host “Inside the NBA” with humility and integrity, they’re witnessing the fruit of Lois Denhard’s life’s work—a legacy that continues to inspire and influence long after her passing.
Lois Denhard may not have sought headlines or public acclaim, but her life achieved something far more lasting: she built a family rooted in love, raised children who serve others, and created a legacy that will continue influencing future generations. In the end, that may be the greatest achievement of all.
Rest in peace, Lois Margery Denhard Johnson (June 10, 1928 – January 17, 2023). Your legacy lives on.
