Kenneth E. Johnson

Kenneth Eugene Johnson was born on September 10, 1941, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Leonard Erland and Luella Margaret (Winter) Johnson. Kenny was baptized on October 12, 1941, and confirmed on July 3, 1955, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. He graduated with the Pipestone High School class of 1959. He continued his education at Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating with the class of 1961. Kenny was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Carol Popma, on September 23, 1961, at First Lutheran Church in Pipestone. They made their home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Kenny worked for Terrace Park Dairy. In 1966, he was transferred to Sioux City, Iowa. After the death of his father in 1971, he and his family moved to Pipestone and he took over the farming with Dave Johnson, his best friend and brother. He continued farming until his death on April 8, 2016, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 74 years.

Kenny was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. He was a member of the Sioux City Jaycee’s, the Pipestone County Zoning Board, the Pipestone ASCS Board, the Troy Township Board, and the Pork Producer’s Board. Kenny was an avid Nascar and Huset’s Speedway fan as well as a collector of International “red” toy tractors.

The overall love in Kenny’s life was his family: his very special wife, Carol, his children, and grandchildren. We as a family would like to express our infinite gratitude to this kind-hearted, generous, patient, and loving man who was deeply involved in our lives, making everyone feel so very special. We cherish so many fond memories of him. He and Carol were sweethearts since the age of 16, always enjoying each other’s company. They were inseparable soulmates. It gave him such joy to watch and play with his children and grandchildren. He loved watching us play sports, race motorcycles, or even something as simple as talking and laughing late into the night while playing cards, dice, or bean bag toss.

Kenny will forever be in the hearts and minds of his many friends and neighbors as a friendly, happy-go-lucky, kind man with a firm handshake and a big smile for everyone.

Kenny is lovingly remembered by the love of his life, Carol, of Pipestone, Minnesota; his children, Jeffrey Johnson (special friend, Teresa Diamante) of Sioux Falls, Julie Grootwassink of Sioux Falls, Jay (Rhonda) Johnson of Centerville, South Dakota, and Jodi Jackmon of Brandon, South Dakota; eight grandchildren, Tanya Grootwassink, Mandy Grootwassink, Lee Grootwassink, Amber Johnson, Casey Johnson, Hope Jackmon, Hannah Jackmon and Jorden Johnson; one great-granddaughter, Iyla Aquino; siblings, David (Juleah) of Pipestone, Barbara (Ronald) Brecher of Pipestone, Mary Bergan of Jasper, Minnesota, Kathleen (Jim) Pensyl of Jordan, Minnesota and Sonia Schelhaas of Chaska, Minnesota. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Paula Johnson; and grand-niece, Kelsey Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Paul Lutheran Church.