Eldon Johnson


Eldon Johnson, 82, Verdi, died Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 9 at United Methodist Church in Lake Benton with Rev. Daren Junker and Pastor Steve Koehne, officiating.

Honorary casket bearers were Krista Wisdom, Katelyn Johnson, Chelsey Hiniker, Lamarah Wisdom, Marlyn Koehne, Amanda Kampmann, Ashley Johnson, Annsleigh Wisdom, Elizabeth Johnson, Vanessa Hillard, Maelynn Wisdom, Brystol Kampmann and Steven Koehne.

Casket bearers were Thomas Hillard, Jared Hillard, Bradley Hillard, Ben Kampmann, Lee Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Shuan Wisdom and Mitchell Ross.

Military honors were provided by Henry Sollie American Legion Post #10, Lake Benton.

Interment was in Memorial Hill Cemetery, Lake Benton.

Eldon George Johnson was born to Harold and Susie (Waasdorp) Johnson on July 11, 1935 on the family farm in Lake Benton Township in Lincoln County. He attended school in Verdi. As a teenager, Eldon worked for Bill Willert on his farm. He graduated from Verdi High School in 1953. In April of 1953 he joined the National Guard and was active until August of 1954.

On March 20, 1954 he married Dorothy Rochel.

Eldon joined the United States Navy, enlisting on Aug. 27, 1954. He was stationed in San Diego, Calif., where he completed boot camp and pipe fitters training. He was then stationed on the USS Sperry CA -16, a submarine repair ship. He spent six months on the USS Sperry before moving to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, Calif. Dorothy  joined Eldon out in California on the military base. The two resided there until 1957 when Eldon was assigned to the USS Rowan DD782. After his tour, Eldon was honorably discharged in July of 1958 but continued in the active reserves for 10-12 years. After his discharge he moved back to Minnesota and he and Dorothy began farming in Altona Township in Pipestone County. The couple then purchased their farm near Verdi. He also worked seasonally six years for the flax straw crew near Verdi in the late 70s.

Dorothy passed away on Sept. 24, 2008. After Dorothy’s death, Eldon continued to live on the farm in rural Verdi until his death.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton and the Lake Benton American Legion. As an active individual, he served on the Altona Township Board for 40 years, the Verdi School Board and various church boards. He also served as the community Santa Claus for many years.

He is survived by his two daughters, Eldonna (Thomas) Hillard, Ward, S.D. and Judy (Lee) Johnson, Sleepy Eye; eight grandchildren; four great-granddaughters; three sisters-in-law, Joyce (Marlyn) Koehne, Langdon, N.D., Vida Johnson, Lake Benton, Alma Johnson, Pipestone; one sister and many other family members and friends, including Carol Mostad, Brookings, S.D.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his son, Douglas; two infant children, Wayne and Diane; two infant twin great-grandsons, Bentley and Brayden; his parents; brothers, Ivan, Leonard, Donald and Floyd and his sister, Betty Manderscheid.

(Hartquist Funeral Home,

Pipestone Chapel)