Johnson, Bob M. (1914-2004)

JOHNSON, BRACKLE, NELSON, ROYDEN, JAMES

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/15/2010 at 16:25:54

Bob M. Johnson - July 23, 1914 - Jan. 10, 2004

Bob M. Johnson, age 89, of Newell died Saturday, January 10, 2004, in the Newell Good Samaritan Center.

Bob Johnson was born on July 23, 1914, on a farm near Moneta in Clay County, Iowa, to Wilber J. and Minnie (Brackle) Johnson. Bob spent his childhood in his parents’ home and attended rural schools in Clay County before graduating from Royal High School in 1932.

He worked for his dad and eventually for his brother, “Stub” Johnson, who owned and operated the Jersey Dairy in Spencer, Iowa. These were the depression years, but Bob always found a job such as working construction on the hotel in Spencer; trucking and harvesting and working on the family farm. Then came World War II. Bob knew he would be called, so he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to serve on a new battleship, the USS South Dakota, and served in both the Atlantic and the Pacific theaters during the war. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945 as a Chief Petty Officer.

On July 8, 1944, Bob was united in marriage to Muriel Nelson in Los Angeles, California. They were blessed with two children, Kay and James. Bob took pride in his family. He loved the mountains and took his family on several trips west. He especially enjoyed hiking, skiing and camping with his children and grandchildren. He also liked to go bicycling and enjoyed visiting with friends.

Bob remained interested and active with the USS South Dakota memorial. He stayed in touch with his shipmates and attended all reunions of that group as long as he was able.

Bob purchased the hardware store in Newell in April of 1946 and his family moved to Newell where he has since resided. In 1999, he entered the Good Samaritan Center at Newell and lived there until his death. He was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ at Newell.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Muriel of Newell; one son, James J. Johnson of Newell; a daughter, Kay and husband Royden James of Torrington, Wyoming; grandsons: S. Scott and wife Melissa James of Wheatland, Wyoming, Trevor James of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jonathan and wife Laura James of Aloha, Oregon, Corey James of Greeley, Colorado, Travis Johnson of Iowa City, Iowa, and Evan Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska; great-grandchildren: Briley, Cole and Paige James of Wheatland, Wyoming, and Tyler James of Aloha, Oregon; and many extended family members and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters-in-law: Lawrence and Maureen Johnson, A.M. “Stub” and Vi Johnson, and James O. and Marjorie Johnson.

Funeral services will be Thursday, January 15, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral services on Thursday.

Copyright © 2004, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

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