Johnson, Axel Emil 1881-1961

JOHNSON, LARSON, BURROUGHS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 3/18/2018 at 13:59:04

The Montezuma (IA) Republican
Dec. 14, 1961

AXEL E. JOHNSON
FUNERAL SERVICE
CONDUCTED TUESDAY

Axel Emil Johnson, son of John and Anna May (Larson) Person, was born Oct. 26, 1881, in Vedum (Skaraborgs Lan) Vestergotland, Sweden, and parted this life Dec. 9, at the age of 80 years, 1 month and 13 days. (parents names do not quite make sense??)

The last of a family of seven children, he came to America at the age of 19 and made his home in the communities of Geneseo, Ill., before moving to Iowa in 1907.

On Jan. 25, 1912, he was united in marriage with Clara Ethel Burroughs and to this union were born three children: Ethel Marie, who died in infancy, and Vincent and Kenneth.

Aside from approximately two years following his marriage, which were spent in Cuba, he with his family were residents of the Montezuma community where he was engaged in farming. He loved the soil and continued actively engaged in his work until illness intervened two years ago.

Axel, as he was known to all his friends, was a believer in progress and education, having served for years as director of his local school district. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church in Sweden and after moving to Montezuma became a member of the Methodist church and interested in its work.

He is survived by his wife, Clara, two sons, and two grandchildren, Kristin Sue and Vincent II, all of Montezuma, along with a great many neighbors and friends.

Memorial services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Methodist church, conducted by the Rev. George Snyder. Miss Alice Underwood played the musical selections and accompanied Bill Kempp who sang "Beyond the Sunset" and "Sweet Peace."

Interment was in Jackson Township cemetery under direction of the Steffy Funeral Home. Casket bearers were Earl Beech, Autumn Watts, Lester Freeborn, Emmett Lamond, Maurice Boatman and Carl Speas.