Johnny Lee Johnson

JOHNNY LEE JOHNSON

August 19, 1942 – October 15, 2018

                Johnny Lee Johnson, age 76, of Osage, MN, formerly of Omaha, Neb., Council Bluffs, Iowa and Sioux Falls, SD, died unexpectedly at his home west of Osage in the early morning hours of Monday, October 15, 2018 with his wife at his side, from health conditions caused by agent orange.

                Johnny was born on August 19, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska to Hazen and Flo (Henderson) Johnson.  He attended his early years of public school in Omaha before his family moved to the Lake Mantawa area near Council Bluffs, Iowa.  As a boy, Johnny grew up fishing, trapping and hunting on and around the lake.  After high school, he worked installing lightning rods on large buildings.  One of his most interesting installations was at some newly built horse stables at Graceland near Memphis, TN where none other than Elvis Presley himself gave young Johnny a grand tour.  In 1965, Johnny enlisted in the US Army where he proudly served his country fighting in Viet Nam through 1966.  After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to the Council Bluffs area where he worked for the railroad.  In 1967, he was married and blessed with two daughters: Buffy and Judy.  In 1969, Johnny began a 24 year long career working for the Butternut Coffee Company as a maintenance technician.  On May 16, 1982, Johnny was united in marriage to Linda Fay Strazdas who was introduced to Johnny by his father who referred to Johnny as “the pick of the litter”.  They were blessed with a son, Derek and also raised a niece, Jonelle.  After working for Butternut for 24 years, Johnny chose not to relocate to Houston, TX when the company was sold and instead began working in commercial refrigeration in Omaha for several years.  The family moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1995 where Johnny worked operating a saw mill right up to his retirement in 2005.  Shortly thereafter, they moved to the Osage, MN area where Johnny has enjoyed his retirement hunting and fishing.  He also took pride in working with woodworking, stained glass windows, making glass beads, making wrought iron ornaments and making knives.  He was a voracious reader who enjoyed keeping himself both mentally and physically sharp.  Above all, Johnny devoted his life to his precious wife and soulmate, Linda, who helped make the last 36 years of his life spectacular. 

                He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda; his son, Derek (Marcia) Johnson of Detroit Lakes; two daughters: Buffy Lynn Behrens and Judy Lee Agersea both of Council Bluffs, IA; 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; his special niece, Jonelle (Cullen) Burton of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; as well as other nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.

                Johnny was preceded in death by his two sisters: Beverly and Sherry and his two brothers: Jimmy and Eddie.

                Services are set for 11 AM Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Grace Community Church in Osage with the Rev. Paul McKibben officiating.  Visitation will begin at 10 AM.  The urn bearers will be his son and daughter-in-law, Derek and Marcia Johnson.  The honorary urnbearers will be members of the Osage Senior Citizens.  Full military honors will be conducted by the Star Of The North Marine Corps League.  To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute, please visit www.jonespearson.com