Earl William Johnston 1929-2012

JOHNSTON KENNEDY BAPPE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/23/2012 at 10:15:59

Sioux City Journal
August 13, 2012

Earl William Johnston, 83, of Sioux City died on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012 at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. James United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ryan Christenson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service being said at 7 p.m., followed by a Masonic service, at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Earl was born on Jan. 13, 1929, in Conde, S.D. He was the son of Raymond and Venia (Kennedy) Johnston. He came to Sioux City as a child and attended Sioux City Schools. He graduated from East High School in 1946. After high school he served in the United States Naval Reserve, where he served as an electronics instructor.

On Feb. 17, 1951, he married Maxine L. Bappe in Sioux City. Earl was a true salesman. He began his career with an electronics store. He next sold cars for a while and always had a passion for cars. He went on to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for 11 1/2 years selling the Yellow Pages. He then earned his real estate license and opened Results Realty Co., which he operated with his wife for more than 25 years.

He was a member of the Abu Bekr Shrine and was a proud member of the Rat Patrol. He was also a member of the Masonic Scottish Rite and the Morningside Masonic Lodge 615. Earl was a past president of the Sioux City River-Cade Festival. Earl loved being with people, he was a great story teller and always had a joke to share. He appreciated and respected all life. He loved nature and animals. He enjoyed boating, both on the Missouri River and at Okoboji. He was an avid reader and he loved his dog Sasha. Family was the most important part of Earl's life, his wife, sons and grandchildren.

Earl is survived by his wife, Maxine; three sons, Doug and Faye of Lake Saint Louis, Mo., Dennis of Sioux City, and David and Sandy of Sioux City; three grandchildren, Bryce, Steven and Amanda; his brother, Lester and Vivian of Sioux City; a sister, Norma Hartnett of Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ruth Pooler.

A memorial has been established in Earl's name with the Sioux City Animal Adoption & Rescue Center at 2400 Hawkeye Drive, Sioux City, IA 51105.