JOHNSTON, Virgil F. 1926-1999

JOHNSTON, SEVERSON, DYBSJORD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/5/2011 at 16:40:02

VIRGIL F. JOHNSTON

OSAGE, IOWA - Virgil Francis Johnston, 73, of Osage, died on Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., due to a ruptured aneurysm.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Osage, with the Rev. Arthur L. Hill officiating. Interment will be in the Osage Cemetery with military rites by members of Osage American Legion Post 278 and Osage V.F.W. Post 7920.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Champion Funeral Home, 702 State St., Osage, with the family present from 4 to 5 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before services on Monday at the church.

Virgil was born on October 16, 1926, in Forest City, the son of J.F. "Jack" and Alice (Severson) Johnston. He attended Forest City public schools, graduating in 1944. He was active in football, basketball, baseball and track.

Virgil enlisted in the Navy in June of 1944, serving aboard a Seventh Fleet tender in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was discharged in July of 1946 with the rating of fire controlman third class.

He enrolled at Waldorf College for one year. He then joined the Iowa State Highway Patrol in 1948. He served in the Iowa City and Osage areas until 1952. He entered the real estate, insurance and farm management business in 1952 in Osage.

Virgil was united in marriage to Antoinette Kathryn (Toni) Dybsjord on Oct. 1, 1949, in Waterloo.

Virgil served as president of the Iowa chapter of Farm and Land Brokers in 1963, was a past president of the Cedar Valley Board of Realtors and had served as a director of several committees, including the Legislative Committee of the Iowa Association of Realtors and as vice-president of the Iowa Association of Realtors in 1966. He served as director of the Iowa Chapter of Farm and Land Brokers and was chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Iowa Chapter for two years. He served as director and as vice president of the Osage Development Corporation, served on the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Osage, was director of the Business and Industry Committee of the North Iowa Development Commission and had served as vice-president of the Osage Chamber of Commerce.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Osage, American Legion, V.F.W., and Elks Club and was a past director of Sunny Brae Country Club. Virgil received the Outstanding Iowa Farm and Land Brokers Award in 1973 and was named Employer of the Year in Osage in 1985.

Virgil was an avid fisherman, enjoying "catch and release" fishing with friends in northern Canada. He also enjoyed golfing and all sports. He enjoyed traveling throughout Canada, the Far North, South Pacific, Florida and California.

Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or to a memorial of the donor's choice.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Antoinette, of Osage; three sisters, Mildred Johnston of Waterloo, Alpha Sandage and her husband, Duane, of Ames, and Sylvia Kleen and her husband, Jim, of North Mankato, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Florence Johnston of Forest City and Shirley Johnston of Belmond; and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Alice Johnston; and two brothers, Robert Johnston and Maynard "Chip" Johnston.

Champion Funeral Home, (515) 732-3706.

Globe Gazette. Oct. 30, 1999