Richard E. Johnson

RICHARD EARL JOHNSON was born to Louis and Ethel (Noble) Johnson on November 9, 1930, on the farm outside of Beresford in Lincoln County, South Dakota. He spent his childhood years on the farm and graduated from Beresford High School in 1948. He enlisted into the United States Army on January 6, 1949. Richard served his country in the Korean War attaining the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged on June 10, 1952. He returned home to Beresford where he worked on the farm. On December 12, 1954, Richard was united in marriage to Donna Mae Nelson. The couple lived on the family farm until 1958 when they moved to Slayton, Minnesota. In 1960, they moved for a few years to Garvin, Minnesota and then returned to Slayton. Richard spent time working in the Worthington packing plants. They moved to Rushmore, Minnesota in 1964 where they made their home for the next 30 years. In 1975, he began his career as a truck driver. Donna preceded him in death on April 24, 1986. In 1994, Richard moved into Worthington, Minnesota. He retired from driving truck at the age of 75 years. Through the years Richard became a friend to pretty much everyone he met. In 2011, Richard moved to The Inn on Westport Assisted Living Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. One year later he moved to the Good Samaritan Society - Sioux Falls Center in Sioux Falls where he resided until his death on Monday, April 6, 2015, at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 27 days.

Richard was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rushmore. In their early years, Richard and Donna enjoyed dancing and playing cards with friends.

Richard is remembered by his eight children, Ronald (Patty) Johnson of Sioux Falls, Raymond (Teresa) Johnson of Jonesboro, Georgia, Rosalie (Andy) Johnson-Jordahl of Big Lake, Minnesota, Roxanne Johnson of Sioux Falls, Richard (Vonn) Johnson of Bloomington, Minnesota, Roger (Mary Lynn) Johnson of Granite Bay, California, Rhonda Johnson of Jonesboro, Georgia, and Ralph (Rhonda) Johnson of Silver Spring, Maryland; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer, Eric, Sarah, Joi, Jonathan, Crista, Stanton, Aaron, Shauna and Jared; two great-grandchildren, Scarlett and Grayson; two siblings, Ethel Hughes of Rapid City, South Dakota, and William (Charlene) Johnson of Beresford; other family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Mae; his parents, Louis and Ethel; and his siblings, Bonnie, Allan, Lawrence, James, Dorothy, and Charles.