Robert Johnson

Robert Harvey Johnson was born February 18, 1924, in Missouri Valley, Iowa, to parents Walter and Rosa (Madelko) Johnson. He attended county school and Woodbine High School until the tenth grade. In 1944 he entered the United States Navy and served until 1946, on the aircraft carrier USS Salamala. Upon returning to Woodbine, he finished high school. Robert married Frances Irene Hull on January 12, 1947. Throughout most of his life, he worked for Safeway grocery stores in Blair as a meat cutter. After he retired from Safeway, he and Irene managed a hotel in Marysville, Kansas. After a time, the couple moved back to Blair, Nebraska and Robert worked as a custodian for the Blair school district until his retirement in 1989.

Robert was a member of the United Methodist Church in Blair, Nebraska, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, and the Eagle's Club. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed his dog Tinker.

Robert died on August 20, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Blair, Nebraska at the age of 79 years, six months, and two days.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene on October 14, 1999, three sisters, Alice in infancy, Florence Philips and Vera Ehlert; and two brothers Harlan and Bernard Johnson. Bob is survived by his two sons, Richard Johnson and his wife Nancy and Randy Johnson and his wife Joan both of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska; one daughter Diana and her husband William Snavely of Blair, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Laurie Plowman and husband Matt of Forest City, Iowa, Amy Gustafson and husband Mark of Omaha, Alex Johnson, Andrew Johnson and Emily Johnson all of Fort Calhoun, NE; one great granddaughter, Joyceln Plowman of Forest City, IA; two brothers, Harold Johnson and his wife Ruth of Dunlap, Iowa and Virgil Johnson of Woodbine, Iowa and many other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held at 10 AM Saturday, August 23, 2003 at the Woodbine Cemetery with Dr. A.K. Saul of the First United Methodist Church in Blair. Military graveside rites were provided by American Legion Weiss Post # 143 of Woodbine. Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements.