Lauren D. "Shorty" Johnson

Lauren D. Johnson, age 100 of Laurel, Nebraska died on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel, Nebraska. Funeral Services will be on Friday, October 11, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Laurel with the Rev. Jim & Kathleen Splitt officiating. Burial will be at the Laurel cemetery in Laurel, Nebraska with military honors by the Laurel Veterans Post #4504 & #54 and the American Legion Riders.  Visitation will be on Thursday, at church, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.   Visitation will continue on Friday one hour prior to services.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home of Laurel. Pallbearers will be Rich Brandow, Wayne Johnson, Kyle Brasch, Greg Kvols, Randy Rasmussen, and Pat Onderstal. Honorary pallbearers will be the card club, Gary Lut, Carol Lipp, Jimmy Thompson, Verneal Gade, and the pool club members. Lauren Delmar “Shorty” Johnson was born on March 7, 1919 in Laurel, Nebraska to Orville and Nellie (Carlson) Johnson.  He grew up on a farm south of Laurel and worked in California for a while for a Creamery until he was drafted into the U.S. Army on August 10, 1942.  Lauren had extensive training and was part of the WWII invasion on Omaha Beach and also fought in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was a member of the 30^th Infantry Division.  Lauren received the Purple Heart for being wounded by a sniper on April 27, 1945. After the war, Lauren married LaVerne Johanna Thomsen on January 16, 1949 in Allen, Nebraska. He farmed near Laurel until he retired in 1964.  Lauren continued to stay busy by mowing the farm place and doing odd jobs. Lauren was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and a life member of the Laurel Veterans Post #4504 & #54. He enjoyed playing pool at the Senior Center and competing in pool tournaments in surrounding towns.  He liked playing cards as well.  In his younger years he hunted, trapped and fished. Lauren is survived by his two sons, Lowell Johnson of Belden, Lenard “Skinner” Johnson of Laurel; two grandsons Todd (Jill) Johnson of Correctionville, IA, Andy (Sara) Johnson of North Platte, NE; five great grandchildren – Colten, Landon, Lauren, Abigail, and Kenneth Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife LaVerne on December 8, 2012 at the age of 84 years; brother Floyd Johnson; daughter-in-law Suzette Johnson; sister-in-law Gert Johnson; brothers-in-law Gene Thomsen and Wilbur Thomsen; parents-in-law John & Frieda Thomsen.