JOHNSON, Ralph Ivan 1914-2005

JOHNSON, FLESBRUG, BEECROFT

Posted By: Jeffrey R Phillips (email)
Date: 2/20/2005 at 20:23:48

Ralph Johnson

April 5, 1914 - February 17, 2005

IOWA FALLS—Ralph Ivan Johnson, 90, of Iowa Falls, passed away Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, at Scenic Manor, Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Linn’s Funeral Chapel, Iowa Falls, with military honors provided by Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post No. 188, Iowa Falls. Burial will be at the Alden Township Cemetery. The Rev. Brian King, Bethany Lutheran Church, will officiate.

Ralph was born April 5, 1914, at Alden, the son of Edward and Ellen (Flesbrug) Johnson. He attended Alden community schools through eighth grade and the Williams community schools, graduating from Williams High School in 1932, after staying home a year to help his father on the farm. He worked at the Williams Lumber Yard and the Reeds Ice Cream factories in Des Moines and Omaha before entering the U.S. Army on March 21, 1942. He served through several campaigns, starting with the Normandy landing, and including the Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge, receiving five bronze stars for actions in these battles. After his discharge on June 28, 1945, he returned to the farm. On July 6, 1952, he was united in marriage to Margaret Beecroft at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. He and Margaret moved to Iowa Falls in 1981. Margaret passed away on Dec. 16, 1994.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; and his brother and wife, Jesse and Dorothy Johnson. He is survived by nieces and nephews.