Wendell Johnson

Wendell William Johnson was born November 5, 1926 to Henry and Beda (Swanson) Johnson. Wendell had three older brothers, Russell, Vernon & Wayne Johnson. Wendell passed away peacefully July 15, 2016 at his home in Arlington Place of Red Oak, Iowa. He attended elementary school at Rose Hill Country School. He was a member of the 1944 graduating class from Essex Community High School in Essex, IA. Following high school he began farming with his father. In May, 1949 he enlisted in the Navy serving as a metal worker and fireman during the Korean Conflict aboard the Abnaki AFT. After his honorable discharge, December 23, 1952 he returned to farm. He had a love of farming. He began his college career at Clarinda Community College. Attended University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Arizona in Phoenix and completed his degree at Colorado State in Greeley, Colorado in 1961. Wendell & Elvera (Englund) were married March 17, 1961 at Bensonvale Covenant Church, Omaha, NE. To this union four children were born, Becky, Tim, Mark and Deborah. Wendell was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family and friends playing games. He e...[more]

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yed talking with people and meeting new people. He was a faithful member of the Faith Covenant Church in Essex. While living in Littleton, Colorado Wendell worked for Martin Marietta Incorporated. He later worked for Associates Small Loans in the Shenandoah area before returning to farming in 1963. After the death of his brother, Russell, he returned to the family farm east of Essex. During their retirement years, Wendell and Elvera enjoyed spending their winters at Bibleville Senior Community in Alamo, TX meeting people from all across the country. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry & Beda (Swanson) Johnson, In laws, Fritz & Olga Englund, Brothers; Russell (Marjorie) Johnson, Vernon Johnson and Wayne Johnson, and brother-in-law, Raymond Palmquist. Survivors include his wife, Elvera (Englund) Johnson of 55 years. Children; Becky (Roger) Cerven of Stanton, Iowa, Tim (Tammy) Johnson of Essex, Iowa, Mark (Diana) Johnson of Little Rock, Arkansas and Deborah (Brian) Shutters of Waukee, Iowa. Grandchildren; Brielle Cerven, Jonathan (Allison) Cerven, Andrew (Roey Sink) Cerven, Allison and Wesley Johnson, Luke and Isabel Johnson, Madeline, William Mason and Katherine Shutters. Sisters-in-law: Doris Palmquist, Dorothy Johnson & Evelyn Johnson and many other nieces, nephews and friends. Celebration of life funeral service will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the Faith Covenant Church in Essex, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be held from 12:30 until 2:00 pm, Tuesday, 26, 2016 at the Faith Covenant Church in Essex, Iowa. Burial will be held at the Essex Cemetery in Essex, Iowa with military rites provided by Shenandoah American Legion Post #88 Color Guard. Memorials may be directed to the Faith Covenant Church or Essex Fire and Rescue.