Dean Johnson

Dean Johnson, age 96, of Webb, Iowa died on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at the Spencer Hospital in Spencer, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Webb. Burial will be in the Garfield Township Cemetery in Webb. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Dean Loran Johnson was born August 29, 1922 to Gordon and Elizabeth (Behrens) Johnson who were of Norwegian and German descent. Dean was raised on a farm in rural Pocahontas County Iowa where his grade school years were spent in a one room schoolhouse. His youth was established in Pomeroy, Iowa with his sisters, Carol (Johnson) Aljets and Lois (Johnson) Brown. 

Dean graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1940.  He then went to work in Cedar Rapids where his uncle found him work in a factory building rock crushers. 

In 1942 Dean enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Baltimore Maryland as a member of the US Coast Guard where he served as Military Police.  He was discharged in 1946 and returned to Iowa to farm where he met Lois Crummer from Pocahontas, Iowa.  

Dean and Lois were married June 11, 1948 and farmed outside of Pomeroy for two years.  In 1951 they moved to Webb in Clay County Iowa. There they established their farm and family and is where they currently reside.

Farming for the Johnsons required long hours of toil with chores for dairying, raising swine, chickens and tilling the soil without the benefit of tractor cabs and air conditioning. 

Son, Gary was born in 1951 and daughter Kerry was born in 1959. 

Family trips around Iowa and many memorable travels to South Carolina were enjoyed as they visited relatives, mountains, beaches and historical sights. They also enjoyed COOP trips to Kansas City and Washington DC. 

After retiring from farming, Dean worked at his pride and joy, the Clay County Fairgrounds. For 18 years he served on the maintenance team.  Once retiring from the fairgrounds, he decided to get back into cattle and built back the cattle yard at his home place. Until his very last Dean was considered the cattle lot overseer.

Dean served in many community groups including the Clay County Extension Council, Clay County 4-H Committee, Vice President of Clay County Farm Bureau and boys 4-H Leader. As a member of the United Methodist Church he was an active board member, taught high school Sunday School for years and sang in the  choir.  He enjoyed sharing his baritone voice and soloing for many weddings and special occasions. He also enjoyed welcoming visitors and new members to the church.

Dean served on the ASCS county committee for 10 years, President of Clay County Pork Producers and was a Director on the Marathon COOP Board.  Dean also helped establish the Webb Benefit fire department and served as the secretary and treasurer since 1952. He was Past Patron of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Dean was called home on Sunday, June 23, 2019 where he was reunited with his loved ones. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Gordon and Elizabeth Johnson, Sisters Carol Aljets and Lois Brown and granddaughter Ashley Lorraine King. 

Left to cherish Dean’s memory are his wife of 71 years, Lois (Crummer) Johnson; son Gary (Barb) Johnson of Webb, daughter Kerry (Dennis) King of Dickens, grandchildren Melissa (Mitch) Matthews of West Des Moines, Mindy (Tim) Sylvester of Webb, Melany (Stacey) Mills of Webb, Leanne (Adam) O’Clair of Spencer,  Ryan (Ashley) King of Spencer, Niki (Todd) Ayers of Webb, Kale (Sheila) Joynt of Emmetsburg, Keton (Lisa Woodford) Joynt of Mallard, Kolby (Ashley) Joynt of Spirit Lake and 16 great-grandchildren. 

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