Ernest J. Johnson (1920-2007)

JOHNSON, MUNSON, OLSON, GILBERT, QUESENBERRY, HULTGREN, NEELEY

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 2/2/2008 at 22:22:57

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Ernest J. Johnson, age 86, of Ellsworth, died Thursday, April 26, 2007 at Bethany Life Communities in Story City, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2007 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth with Pastor Michael J. Herschberger officiating. Burial was in Homewood Cemetery north of Ellsworth. Visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon in Fellowship Hall of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Becker Funeral Home in Jewell is entrusted with arrangements.

Ernest Justin Johnson, son of Alfred Julius and Anna (Munson) Johnson was born August 10, 1920 at his parents' home in rural Ellsworth. He attended school in Ellsworth and graduated in 1939. On June 5, 1942 he married Been Joyce Olson in Burbank, California. The couple farmed and operated E. J. Johnson Construction Company in the Ellsworth area. THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Been died September 6, 1995. Ernie had resided with Bethany Life Communities in Story City for the past four years.

Ernie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Ellsworth and was an active member of the community. He was Chief of the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department for twenty years. He was active in the community club association since its inception and enjoyed barbecuing burgers and turkey fillets for the Wednesday night town gatherings. Ernie enjoyed his flower and cactus gardens, playing cards with Been and their many friends, good music and camping with friends at many Iowa lakes and in Arizona during the winters. Wherever Ernie was, there were loads of stories told, some factual and many fictional. He truly enjoyed a good conversation with hot coffee and good friends.

Ernie is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Connie Johnson of Ames and John and Colleen Johnson of Story City; daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce and Bruce Gilbert of Ames and Barbara and Bill Quesenberry of Sedona, Arizona; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His survivors also include sisters-in-law Phyllis Johnson of Story City and Vernal Hultgren of Hannibal, Missouri.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents. his brother, John Mervin Johnson, and his sister, Vivian Neeley.