Merlin Dean Johnson 1953 - 2011

JOHNSON, COOPER, CARLSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2014 at 11:17:59

Sioux City Journal
31 March 2011

Merlin Johnson, 57, of Hospers passed away Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Orange City Area Health System Hospital in Orange City, Iowa.

Service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Reformed Church in Hospers. The Rev. Milton Sikkema will officiate. Interment will follow in Hospers Cemetery. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers.

Merlin Dean was born March 28, 1953, in Mapleton, Iowa, the son of Vernon B. and Leona M. (Cooper) Johnson. He was raised on a farm near Soldier, Iowa, and graduated from East Monona High School in 1971.

On Feb. 14, 1976, he married Betty Carlson in Arion, Iowa. They made their home in Sioux City and later moved to a farm near Soldier, where he worked for Dubuque Packing for 11 years. In 1989, they moved to Hospers, where he was employed as a meat inspector of small locker plants for the State of Iowa for more than 20 years.

"Merle" was a member of First Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon and an elder, was a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, and belonged to the Men's Brotherhood. He was active in the Brothers in Blue Prison Ministry in Iowa, South Dakota and Belize, and was currently serving as president of the Brothers in Blue Council. He had also served as president of the Denim and Lace Square Dance Club.

He enjoyed fishing with his grandson, riding horses, traveling, woodworking, mechanics, having coffee at Prairie Queen Bakery, making pies, playing cards, singing and square dancing.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years; four daughters, Emily, Erica, and Erin Johnson, all of Hospers, and Elisa of Minneapolis; a grandson, Taylor Johnson; a sister, Carolyn Johnson of Fridley, Minn.; a sister-in-law, Bev Hulsebus of Hospers; a brother-in-law and his wife, Dennis and Cathie Carlson of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Nathan and Ella Mae Carlson; a sister, Rosemary Johnson; two brothers-in-law, Donald Carlson and Jerry Hulsebus; and uncles and aunts.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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