Johnson, Steven Bruce (1948-2021)

JOHNSON, THORSON, BARKEMA, RAMIREZ, HERMANN, GEIST, TYLER, KELTNER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/4/2022 at 10:53:20

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, February 3, 2021

On Friday, January 22, 2021, Steven Bruce Johnson, of Story City, passed away at the age of 72. Steve was born on April 21, 1948 at the Jewell Hospital in Jewell, Iowa to Donald and Mazel (Thorson) Johnson and was the youngest of three children.

He married his loving wife, Marcella (Barkema) in 1970 and they had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last fall. Together, they had three children, Tricia (John Ramirez), Brooke (Steve Hermann) and Chris (Kelly Geist) and five grandchildren, Olivia and Rees Tyler, Lucie Ramirez and Caleb and Claire Johnson.

Steve is also survived by his brother, Gary Johnson (Marion) of Story City; his aunt, Joyce Johnson of Odin, Minnesota; his beloved niece and nephews and their families; many cousins; his mother-in-law, Lorris Barkema; and two brothers-in-law, Murray Barkema and Marshall (Jolene) Barkema. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Charlene Keltner, and nephew, Zachary Barkema.

Steve and Marcy began their farming operation together in 1970. They employed many high school and college students during the summers and fall harvests until Rick Pfadenhauer joined and took over the role in 2000, taking vacation time to help with harvest. Steve had a lifetime passion for farming and mentored many young people interested in agriculture, especially Rees, who spent the last year learning the "ropes" of the day-to-day. Being a father and grandfather was Steve's true joy.

Anyone who knew Steve knew that he loved information. Especially, your age. If that didn't work, then, when did you graduate? Or, who's older, you or your brother? Or, did you go to school with my cousin, Sheryl? He had his ways and always found out! He was firm in his convictions and had a huge and loving heart.

He had the best friends possible, from those who played cribbage and gin with him over the past 35 years, to his breakfast buddies (although there was no breakfast!), lunch buddies (meet you at the bowling alley!), Tuesday night dominoes, and hundreds of others whom he called a friend.

Family services will be Saturday, January 30 at 11 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City. Burial will be at a later date in the Story City Cemetery.

Soderstrum Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Memorial donations can be made to either Immanuel Lutheran Church or Key Cooperative Scholarships in Agriculture.