Johnson, Dean Loran (1922-2019)

JOHNSON, BEHRENS, CRUMMER, ALJETS, BROWN, KING, MATTHEWS, SYLVESTER, MILLS, O’CLAIR, AYERS, JOYNT

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/15/2019 at 14:42:24

Dean Johnson
August 29, 1922 ~ June 23, 2019 (age 96)

Dean Loran Johnson, age 96, of Webb, Iowa, died on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Spencer Hospital in Spencer, Iowa.

Dean Johnson was born August 29, 1922, to Gordon and Elizabeth (Behrens) Johnson, who were of Norwegian and German descent. Raised on a farm in rural Pocahontas County, Iowa, he spent his grade school years in a one room schoolhouse. His adolescence, however, he spent in Pomeroy, Iowa, with his sisters, Carol and Lois Johnson.

After graduating from high school in Pomeroy in 1940, Dean went to work in Cedar Rapids where his uncle found him a job in a factory making rock crushers. In 1942, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Baltimore, Maryland, as a member of the US Coast Guard, serving with the Military Police. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Iowa to farm. Soon, thereafter, he met Lois Crummer from Pocahontas, Iowa. They married on June 11, 1948. After farming outside Pomeroy for two years, they moved in 1951 to Webb in Clay County, Iowa. There, they established their farm and raised their family. Their son, Gary, was born in 1951, and their daughter, Kerry, in 1959.

Farming for the Johnsons required putting in many long hours doing chores including milking cows, raising swine and chickens, and tilling the soil without the benefit of tractor cabs and air conditioning among other luxuries. In addition, Dean served with many community groups including the Clay County Extension Council, Clay County 4-H Committee, Vice President of the Clay County Farm Bureau and the boys’ 4-H Leader. As a member of the United Methodist Church, he served on the church board, taught high school Sunday School for years, and sang in the choir. He enjoyed sharing his baritone voice while singing solos at many weddings and special occasions. He, also, liked welcoming visitors and new members to the church.

In addition, Dean served on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) county committee for ten years, President of the Clay County Pork Producers, and a Director on the Marathon COOP Board. He, also, helped establish the Webb Benefit fire department and since 1952, had served as the secretary and treasurer. A Past Patron of the Order of Eastern Star, he belonged to the Masonic Lodge as well.

After retiring from farming, Dean worked at his pride and joy, the Clay County Fairgrounds. For eighteen years, he served on the maintenance team. Once he retired from the fairgrounds, he decided to get back into the cattle business and built back the cattle yard at his home place. Until his very last, Dean was considered the cattle lot overseer.

While on vacation visiting relatives, mountains, beaches, and historical sights, he and Lois took many memorable family trips around Iowa as well as to South Carolina. Moreover, they enjoyed COOP trips to Kansas City and Washington, DC.

Called home on Sunday, June 23, 2019, Dean was reunited with his loved ones. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Gordon and Elizabeth Johnson; his sisters, Carol Aljets and Lois Brown; and a granddaughter, Ashley Lorraine King.

Those left to cherish Dean’s memory include Lois (Crummer) Johnson, his wife of seventy-one years; his son, Gary (Barb) Johnson, of Webb; his daughter, Kerry (Dennis) King, of Dickens; and his grandchildren: Melissa (Mitch) Matthews, of West Des Moines; Niki (Todd) Ayers, Melany (Stacey) Mills, and Mindy (Tim) Sylvester, all of Webb; Ryan (Ashley) King and Leanne (Adam) O’Clair, both of Spencer; Kale (Sheila) Joynt, of Emmetsburg; Keton (Lisa Woodford) Joynt, of Mallard; and Kolby (Ashley) Joynt, of Spirit Lake; as well as sixteen great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Webb. Burial will follow in the Garfield Township Cemetery in Webb. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Sliefert Funeral Homes, Sioux Rapids, Iowa, 2019.

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