John Christian Johnson (1862-1936)

JOHNSON, JENSEN, ROBERTSON, HEERS, DANIELSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/20/2024 at 16:55:36

From Story City Herald December 31, 1936 (page 13)

Johnson Laid to Rest Saturday

The funeral of J. C. Johnson, whose death occurred on Wednesday of last week, was held on Saturday afternoon.

A large concourse of friends assembled at the Grace church to pay their last respects to a loved pioneer citizen. Rev. Bergeman conducted the service, and the singing was by the church choir.

The pall bearers were Bert Hill, J. C. Jessen, T. O. Olson, A. G. Larson, Ed Charlson and Nels Paulson.

At the beginning of the service Rev. Bergeman read the following obituary:

JOHN CHRISTIAN JOHNSON

John Christian Johnson was the son of Mr. Jens Jensen and his wife Karen Jensen. He was born in Ribe, Denmark, on the 22nd of November, 1862. When a child of four years of age (1866) he, with his parents, came to America and located about 2 1/2 miles south of Story City. The family resided here until he had grown to manhood. With the exception of a few years which he spent in the western part of the United States he lived his entire life near and in Story City.

On December 19, 1894, he was married to Miss Louise Robertson at Story City at which time the Rev. L. N. Day was officiating clergyman. This union was blessed with five children of whom one died in infancy. On May 20, 1920, his companion and mother of the children was taken out of the home by death, which was a severe blow to the family. He was a splendid husband and a very kind and loving father to his children an it was his desire and ambition to set a good example for his children and to rear them in the admonition of the Lord.

He was a man of integrity with optimism and of a genial disposition which won for himself many warm friends who will cherish hi memory. Having been connected with mercantile business in Story City for a period of 46 years he contacted many people in the community whom he endeavored to serve as a Christian gentleman. He gave every evidence of loving his fellowmen with whom he was associated in life's activities and evinced a splendid interest in the welfare of the community. He served on the town council for a season, and was charter member and served on the city Fire Department for 16 years of which he was the chief for 12 years.

He attended Grace Evangelical church practically all his life and united with the congregation in 1913 while Rev. L. J. U. Smay was the pastor. It was his ambition to live the Christian life as it behooves a member of the church and he sought to exert a wholesome influence upon his fellowmen. For a time he served in an official capacity in the congregation. During the past year or more he was unable to attend the church services because of his physical condition but his interest in the work of the church had not been abated.

He passed on to his eternal home on last Wednesday, December 23, 1936, at the age of 74 years and one month. He is survived by his four children, who are, Dorothy (Mrs. Ray Heers) of Amboy, Minn., Howard of Story City, Charles R. of Boxholm, Iowa, and Gladys M. of Waterloo, Iowa. One brother C. F. Johnson of Story City, one sister, Mrs. Tynia Danielson of Douglas, Mich., and 11 grandchildren, besides other relatives and a host of friends.

In the words of a very close friend of the family: "Merry Christmas in Heaven: For all the happiness you have given, You will receive the shining wreath of love's bestowing. We see tonight a door a-jar, a gleam of light, a shining star, to lead us on, to you and home, where you are going."