Rodger E. Johnson

Rodger E. Johnson, age 89, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Funeral services are 2:00 PM, on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Yankton with Reverend Ron Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Friday, August 23 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a masonic service at 7:00 PM by the St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 1. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Pallbearers are Michael Johnson, Corey Johnson, Tyler Colvin, Nels Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Blake Johnson, Bryan Roemmich and Chad Miller. Honorary pallbearers are Stephanie Miller, Rachel Roemmich, Nicole Welch, Alexa Johnson, Katie Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Jodi Johnson, Allison Colvin and Jessica Johnson. Rodger Elwood Johnson was born December 2, 1929 in Plainview, Nebraska to Nels W. and Hazel (Skalberg) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Mission Covenant Church of Wausa, NE. Rodger grew up in the Wausa area where he attended school. In 1947, he moved with his parents to a farm in the Pleasant Valley Community in rural Hartington, NE. Rodger graduated in May of 1948 from Liberty High School in rural Hartington and then began farming in the Pleasant Valley Community. On August 3, 1952, Rodger married Mary McShannon at Christ Memorial Methodist Church in Bloomfield, NE. After their marriage, Rodger continued farming in Pleasant Valley until 1975 when they farmed north of Bloomfield. In 1981, he retired from farming and moved to Yankton where he became a janitor at Yankton College until it closed in 1984. Rodger then began working at Cimpl Meat Packing Plant and also in the housekeeping department for the SD Human Services Center. He retired from Cimpl’s in August 2001 and from the Human Services Center in March 2014. Rodger then took up woodworking, making many Herbie Huskers and other lawn ornaments and door hangers for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rodger was a member of the First United Methodist Church, The Loyal Order of the Moose #1356, St. John’s Masonic Lodge #1, and Keystone Chapter #33 Order of the Eastern Star. He enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved caring for his lawn and flowers and spent many hours with his lawn displays. Rodger enjoyed reading and travelling in his later years. He was a very hardworker who loved being around people and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Rodger is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Johnson of Yankton; four children: Rodger Jr. (Sarah) Johnson of Falls City, NE, Barbara (Sam) Colvin of Hastings, NE, Bill (Jennifer) Johnson of Sutton, NE and Rodney (Tamme) Johnson of Almena, KS; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Rodger was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Neville and Leslie Johnson; and 1 sister, Irene Kahn. The family would prefer memorials to First United Methodist Church, 207 W. 11^th St, Yankton, SD 57078.