Kent Ray JOHNSON

JOHNSON, LUNDE, MEHUS, DORR, OESTREICH, REINER, EMLEY, ROKKE, HJALMERVIK, LANCASTER, SCHNECKLOTH, FORE, GRIFFITH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:48

July 25, 1947 ---- February 28, 2019

Kent Johnson, 71, died Feb. 28, 2019 at his home in Pillager, Minnesota after a 16-month battle with esophageal cancer. A celebration of life will be held at a future date at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Belmond, Iowa. Memorials may be sent to: Aimee Lunde 1303 Kentucky Ave., Ames, IA 50014.

Kent Ray was born July 25, 1947 in Des Moines, and then adopted into the loving home of Herschel and Adean (Mehus) Johnson of Belmond. Growing up, Kent enjoyed fishing, camping and hunting. In junior high he and his friends put together a skit where he played the part of Hansie Ponce Jonce. The nickname Hans stuck.

After graduating from high school in 1965, Kent graduated from Waldorf College, then earned a BS in agriculture from Iowa State University. It was during this time his first marriage was blessed with daughters Angie and Aimee.

Most of Kent’s life was spent in Belmond where he was active in the Jaycees and enjoyed sand volleyball and bowling. After traveling to Minnesota for work in 1988, he decided to make Hutchinson his home, talking Angie and Aimee into moving there to be closer to him.

In 2002 Hans made Pillager his home, and he met and married his second wife Cathy. They enjoyed being active in the Lions Club, traveling to Texas to escape Minnesota winters, volunteering, and spending time with Cathy’s family and friends.

Farming, production and retail were all careers he had over the years, but his most enjoyable job was dad and grandpa. He rarely missed opportunities to spend time with his girls. A trip to Disney World, Colorado ski trips, Iowa State tailgates, Twins games and summers on the farm are cherished memories of Angie, Aimee and their friends.

Grandpa Kent was an active part of his grandsons’ lives; babysitting, taking them fishing, teaching them to drive the golf cart and 4-wheeler, and making trips to cheer each of the five boys at various athletic events.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herschel Johnson and Adean Dorr, and step-father Leland Dorr. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Cathy of Pillager; daughters Angie (Craig) Oestreich of Hutchinson and Aimee (Chris) Lunde of Ames; grandsons Kyle Oestreich, Alex Oestreich, Quentin Reiner, Connor Lunde and Brennan Lunde; sister Luann Johnson (Bob Emley) of Urbandale; lifelong friend he considered his brother Paul (Char) Rokke of Belmond; cousins Bruce (Helen) Mehus of Indiana, PA; Craig (Lynette) Hjalmervik of Surprise, AZ; and Cathy’s children and grandchildren.

Belmond Independent --- Belmond, Iowa
March 5, 2019

******

Kent “Hans” Ray Johnson died February 28, 2019, peacefully at home after a 17-month battle with esophageal cancer and now dwells with our Lord. A celebration of Kent’s life will be Saturday, March 9th at 3:00 p.m. at the Motley Free Methodist Church, Pastor Jim Johnson will officiate. Friends and family are welcome 1 hour prior to service. Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager later this spring.

Hans was born July 25, 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa, and then adopted by Herschel & Adean (Mehus) Johnson. He always was thankful for the life his parents gave him. He was raised on a farm in Belmond, Iowa, which he later farmed after graduating from Iowa State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He retired from Fleet Farm Sporting Goods in Baxter after 15 years. Kent enjoyed fishing, golfing, keeping his lawn beautiful, feeding the wild birds, and planting flower gardens. He loved spending time with his children & grandchildren and was proud of each one! He was 1st Vice President of his local Lions club and attended the neighborhood boys’ club 3 o’clock meetings where they solved world problems. Hans loved life and to laugh, often telling his favorite jokes at gatherings.

Kent is survived by his wife, Cathy of Pillager; daughters, Angie Oestreich (Craig Oestreich) of Hutchinson and Aimee Lunde (Chris) of Ames Iowa; three “embraced” children, Jody Fore of Pine River, Joshua (Kacee) Griffith of Pequot Lakes, and Sarah Griffith, of Pillager; five grandsons, Quentin, Kyle, Alex, Connor, and Brennan; seven “embraced” grandchildren, Cassie, Ezra, Dalton, Kammy, Allie, Katlyn and Joel; sister, Luann (Bob) Johnson, of Urbandale, Iowa; nephews Eric (Julia) of Iowa & Alex (Becky) of Texas; lifelong friend, Paul (Char) Rokke of Belmond, Iowa; cousin, Bruce (Helen) Mehus, of Indiana, PA, and other relatives; in- laws; and many, many great friends. Kent recently met his birth sister, Charlene Lancaster of Buhl, Texas, and birth brother Roger Schneckloth, of Shelby, Iowa. Kent is preceded in death by his parents.

https://www.brenny.com/notices/KentHans-Johnson