Robert Clarence JOHNSON

JOHNSON, GIMER, CEDER, TULP, BELL, PERGANDE, KITLEY, TUE, MILHAN, KATTER, NELSON, SUMMERS, SCHUVER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/20/2010 at 20:31:48

20 April 2010
Belmond Independent, Iowa

Robert "Bob" Johnson, 86, died April 15, 2010 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. A memorial service was held April 19 at the Klemme United Methodist Church. Interment with military rites was in the Ell Township Cemetery.
Robert Clarence was born August 14, 1923 in Klemme to Clarence and Bernice (Gimer) Johnson. He graduated from Renwick High School and then worked for the family creamery as a butter maker and cream route driver. He entered the armed services in April 1943, and married Judith Ruth Ceder on December 18, 1944. He attended Army Air Force Technical School at Dahlhart Field, Texas. He was a Quartermaster Supply Technician. He earned a WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with Two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge and one Overseas Bar. He left the service in April 1946 with the rank of sergeant. Bob and Judy began farming near Klemme in 1952. Having grown up a "town kid", farming was new to him. He joked that he learned to farm by watching what his neighbors were doing. Bob was a hard worker and enjoyed his dairy herd of Holsteins. He always seemed to have an old car or truck around to tinker with. He could be seen driving one of his cars in area parades. His love of wheels and engines led him later to managing the Klemme "66" gas station. He could be seen sitting in front of the station, waving at the cars as they drove by. He enjoyed woodworking, and helped his children and grandchildren with 4-H projects. He was an Asgrow seed dealer and helped at the elevator. Bob and Judy celebrated 50 years of marriage. She died Sept. 3, 1995. Bob married Lyola Tulp on June 26, 1998. While living in Belmond, Bob looked forward to coffee gatherings and traveling out of state to visit relatives. Bob later lived with his son Marlin on his acreage west of Klemme. Bob could be found sitting on the bench with his dog, Bones, watching the cars go by. He always had a smile and a wave for everyone. In 2008 he moved to Concord Care Center in Garner. Bob was a member of the Klemme American Legion and served as a flag bearer in the color guard for many years. He also helped put up flags and crosses at the cemetery for Memorial Day. He enjoyed volunteering to deliver clothes to the County Cousins project in the southern U.S. He sang in the Klemme United Methodist Church Choir for many years and was an original member of the handbell choir.

Bob was also preceded in death by his parents; step-father George Bell; sister Barbara Pergande; grandson Marlin Johnson, Jr.; and niece Vivian Pergande Kitley. Survivors include his daughter Margaret Ann (Mark) Tue of Garner; son Marlin Alan Johnson of Klemme and Coral Springs, FL; grandchildren Miekka (Randy) Milhan of Clear Lake, John (Gina) Katter of Klemme, Margan Tue of Ames (ISU), step grandson Drew Nelson of Des Moines, Eric Johnson of Des Moines, Mike Johnson of Klemme and Tina Summers of Forest City; great-grandchildren Mia Katter, Jackson Milhan, Kana Katter, Kayla, Hannah and Nick Johnson, Blake and Zach Johnson, Kirstin, Zach and Dakota Schuver. Lyola Johnson and her children also survive.