Virgil Ted Johnson, 1922-2017

JOHNSON, BALDWIN, DICKSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-volunteer (email)
Date: 3/18/2017 at 23:39:13

Sioux City Journal
3 March 2017

ONAWA, Iowa | Virgil Ted Johnson, 95, of Onawa, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at Floyd House Assisted Living Facility in Sergeant Bluff.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Assembly of God in Sioux City, with the Rev. Johnny Helton officiating. Private family burial will be in Belvidere Cemetery, Turin, Iowa. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Virgil Ted Johnson was born on Jan. 18, 1922, in Sergeant Bluff, the son of Chelsie "Ted" Johnson and Ethel Leora (Baldwin) Johnson. In April 1922, his father drowned trying to rescue the family from an ice jam flood on the Missouri River. Walter H. Johnson (Chelsie's brother) then married Virgil's mother. The family lived on various farms in Missouri and Iowa. Ted graduated from Menlo High School, Menlo, Iowa, in May 1940. He attended Iowa State College in Ames for a year before joining the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. He proudly served his country in the China, Burma and India theater as a crew chief on B-24s with the 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force, 493rd Bomb Squadron, and returned to the states on Nov. 9, 1945.

On Nov. 24, 1945, he married the love of his life, Adrienne Elaine Dickson, in Menlo. They farmed near Menlo until 1956, when the family moved to Onawa, where Ted served as the fieldman for the Monona County Farm Bureau. He became the State Farm Insurance agent for Monona County on Aug. 1, 1960, and retired on Jan. 31, 1987.

Ted and Elaine enjoyed their retirement years by camping and traveling the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ted spent his life in service to others. He proudly served his country in World War II and was active in the community and in both the Methodist and Assemblies of God churches. He was a member of various boards and was known for his honesty, friendship, encouraging words, and dedication to sharing the love of Jesus with others. He and Elaine were also foster parents to Bryan (Gretchen) Fjeldos of Green Bay, Wis. Ted was a talented woodworker. He is remembered for making wooden cars and trucks which are treasured by his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Ted also framed many pictures and paintings which are displayed in the homes of family and friends and various area museums.

Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and he is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Bonnie (Leon) Stevenson of Sergeant Bluff; three grandchildren, Julie (Jeff) Guffey of Bonner Springs, Kan., Timothy (Jody) Stevenson of Kearns, Utah, and Becky Morey of Sergeant Bluff; one great-granddaughter, Braydin Morey; his brother, Walter H. Johnson Jr. of Boone, Iowa; two sisters, Lee (Chuck) Portwood of Deep Water, Mo., and Ruth Logan of Gower, Mo.; special friend, Ardis Christoffersen of Onawa; many nieces, nephews, and other family members; and cherished and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Elaine Johnson; and one sister, Violet Lettington.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen