Morris Johnson, 99
Alfred Morris Johnson, 99, Red Oak, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at the Red Oak Healthcare Community.
Morris was born Aug. 1, 1914, near Villisca, the son of Alfred and Pauline (Hanson) Johnson. He was raised on the family farm and was involved in 4-H, receiving a gold medal at the county fair. He attended school through his seventh grade year, at which time he went to live with his sister, Judith, in Wisconsin. He obtained his eighth grade education there. Upon his return home, he helped his father on the farm.
Morris started farming in 1935 east of Morton’s Mill. He married Grace Johnson March 4, 1936, in Shenandoah. They farmed north of Villisca, until moving to Collins in 1948. He farmed there for two years before moving to Marshalltown where he was a real estate broker until 1952. Morris and Grace bought a farm north of Emerson. They farmed until 1984 when they moved into Red Oak. Morris bought his current farm and homestead in 1992 south of Red Oak.
Morris married Wilma Watt Jan. 16, 1993, in Red Oak. Morris has always loved the farm, enjoyed flying in his younger days, was a former Lion’s Club member, currently an Optimist Club member and a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, Grace Johnson in 1990; sisters, Mabel Johnson, Judith Mason and Thelma Coffman; and a brother, Earl Johnson.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma Johnson of Red Oak; children, Carolyn Gildseth and husband Wayne of Red Oak, Robert Johnson and wife Joan Smith of Red Oak, Linnea Davidson of Omaha, Gary Johnson and wife Beverly of Emerson and Greg Johnson and wife Teresa of Farragut; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; step-children, Delwyn Watt and wife Shirley of Sedona, Ariz. and Mary Sage and husband Jim of Aurora, Colo.; three step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchild; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Emerson Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.