Donald Jerome Johnson, 78, Garretson, passed away on September, 21, 2015 in his home surrounded by his family. Services will be at 1:30 pm Friday, September 25, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Thursday at the church. Condolences may be left at
Donald was born December 8th, 1936 to Agny (Sagness) and Leroy Johnson. He graduated from Dell Rapids High School, class of 1955, a class he was very proud of and where many lifelong friends were made. He married his high school sweetheart Janice Bowles on September 8, 1955 and just recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. This marriage was blessed with 6 children. Don and Jan moved to Garretson when the kids were little, where he owned the barber shop on Main Street. Later on, he would go on to work at John Morrell’s before finally buying and owning the Silver Bullet in Sherman, SD where he spent many years doing what he loved most, meeting new people and making new friends.
Don had many hobbies that he loved including hunting, fishing, playing pool with the “Old Farts”, golfing, playing cards, and telling a good story like only he could. But more than anything, he enjoyed time spent with family, he was always very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His grandkids have wonderful memories of “whisker rubs”, singing “Jimmy Crack Corn”, stove top popcorn, Grandpa’s specha murr, and fishing trips in his boat. One thing his family will always treasure is his inspiring life lessons which began with a push of his glasses, a point of his finger and “Let me tell you something…”.
He continued to cut hair in his home barber shop for many years after his retirement, never passing up the chance for a good conversation with great customers! Proud of his Norwegian heritage, he struggled with his family’s inability to acquire the taste for lutefisk. Uffda!
He is survived by his wife Janice, his children, Rick (Cindy) Johnson, Valley Springs SD, Darcia (Dan) Hansen, Jasper MN, Laurie (Glenn) Johnson-Newell, Lincoln NE, Jodie (Mark Dorn) Ahlers, Wentworth SD, Jennifer (Ron) Rouse, Lincoln NE, Amie (Randy) Hemmer, Dell Rapids SD, two sisters, Shirley Gannon, Sioux Falls SD, and Arlene (Pete) Grav, Huntington Beach CA., two sisters-in-law, Jean Berge, Baltic SD, and Joann Park, Sioux Falls SD, 23 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and many more family and friends
He is preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Cody Johnson, and one great grandson, Tayden Grohs.
Don will be deeply missed by his family and friends but they will continue to carry his love, his stories, and his memories with them wherever they go. They are grateful for the time they had with him and they are thankful for all those who shared his life with him.