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Obituary Gaylord Newell Johnson was born August 24, 1926 in Bruning, NE to Christof and Amelia (Eppler) Johnson. He passed away July 28, 2017 at Heritage Crossings in Geneva, NE after a sudden diagnosis of cancer.
He was one of eight children and spent most of his time working the
farm. He loved horses and his Ford coupe. After graduating Bruning High
School, he entered the Navy in late 1944, where he served in WWII on the
USS Rodman and the war plane carrier Bunker Hill. After the war, he
continued work on the farm and then carried mail for the US Postal
Service. During this time, he was also the lead singer for the Mickey
Kull Band and the Rhythmaires. He became a certified single-engine
airplane pilot in 1948 and worked as a cropduster.
Gaylord married Dolores Marie Norder September 15, 1956 and he adopted
her children as his own on April 25, 1957. He carried mail for 35 years
and also drove school bus for Bruning-Davenport schools for 40 years. He
enjoyed following BDS sports. A lifelong outdoorsman, he loved fishing,
hunting, boating, and camping. It brought him great joy to teach his
family members to fish. Gaylord was a Boy Scout leader, in the American
Legion, and volunteered for the Bruning Fire Department. He lived in the
Bruning area all of his life and was an active member of Trinity
Lutheran Church, where his tenor voice filled the sanctuary. Whether at
the cafe or with his family, Gaylord could always tell a good story.
He lived life with a playful and genuine spirit. His heart was full of
unconditional love and warmth that will be cherished.
Gaylord was preceded in death by his parents Christof "Tip" and Amelia
Johnson. Also preceding him in death were sisters Leona (Mrs. Fieldon
Hawks), Dorothy (Mrs. Paul Raines), Arlene Johnson, and Darlene (Mrs.
Darrell Messman); brothers Vernon Johnson and Ronald Johnson; and
son-in-law Gary Dittmer.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dolores Johnson of Bruning, son
Terry Johnson and wife Sue of Lincoln, daughter Kay Rathje and husband
Rick of Roseland, daughter Debby Sylvester and Gary Tucker of Denver,
son J. Kelly Johnson and wife Deb of Elkhorn, and sister Verienne (Mrs.
Rev. Robert Hulse) of Emporia, KS, brother-in-law Paul Raines of Garden
City, MO, sister-in-law Lola Johnson of Bruning; 14 grandchildren and 22
great-grandchildren: Julie Kuntze & husband Darin, children Ella & Ian;
Jill Koegel & husband Eric, children Bradyn & Delaney; Ben Johnson &
wife Crystal, son Jacob; Yancy Dittmer & wife Melissa, children Garrett
& Addison; William Rathje & wife Megan, children Makenna, Macy, & Wyatt;
Dillon Dittmer & wife Cassandra, children Teagan & Brooks; Weston Rathje
& wife Rachel, children Isabel & Lana; Jared Rathje; Amy Peck & husband
Brian, children Jarod, Mason, & Dillon; Tony Johnson & wife Susan; Brett
Sander & wife Angie, children Alex & Avery; Brandi Petrik & husband
Nick, children Addison & Auden; Shawn Johnson & wife Mindy; Calen
Johnson & wife Jessica; son Leeland. Visitation
was held on Monday, July 31, 2017 from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the
Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska with family greeting
friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Funeral services for Gaylord
were at 10:30 am Tuesday, August 1st at the Trinity Lutheran
Church in Bruning, Nebraska with Pastor Stuart Sell officiating.
Graveside service with Military Honor's were at the Trinity Lutheran
Cemetery in Bruning, Nebraska.
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