Obituary for Eugene H. "Gene" Johnson
Gene H. Johnson, age 81, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Avantara Care Center in Lake Norden.
******** Link for live streaming the Gene Johnson Funeral:
https://youtu.be/960i74jJROg
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Iver Possehl officiating and Dawn LaMee as the organist.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel.
Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD with Ellsworth Air Force Base Military Funeral Honors.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Johnson, Tyler Johnson, David Roe, Silas Roe, Brian Robinson, Mark Redlinger and Randy Nygaard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Bassingthwaite, Steve Magedanz, Merle Heidenreich, Harry Johnson, Kevin Meyer, Dr. Craig Crismon and Brian Benson.
Eugene “Gene” Johnson was born June 4, 1941 to Albin Johnson and Pearl (Marston) Johnson in rural Watertown, SD. He was the youngest and only boy to four sisters. He went to Watertown Senior High School, Class of 1959. After finishing high school, He joined the United States Air Force on August 8, 1960. He was honorably discharged on February 1, 1964 and moved back to Watertown, where he met the love of his life, Marion Reihe. At first, she said “no”, but he persisted. Five years later, she finally said yes, and the rest is history. They were married on June 28, 1969, and were blessed with two children, Leslee and Jeff.
For 36 years, Gene worked as a power lineman at Watertown Municipal Utilities.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed cars and attending car races. He went to spectate different races across the country, and was an avid fan of local racer Jonny Tesch. After retiring, he delivered cars for Sharp Automotive to keep himself out of trouble. On occasion, Marion would drive with him - the pair were inseparable. He also enjoyed traveling with his beloved, and the two went across vast regions of the United States, even as far as Alaska. Gene and Marion also bought a pontoon boat so they could spend their summers on the lake, making memories with each other and their family.
Gene could sense when people weren’t doing well, and he went out of his way to spend quality time with people when they were in need of a companion. This was especially true when it came to his children and grandchildren. Gene was a loving father and grandpa. He always prized his family more than anything else, especially his grandchildren. If his grandkids needed or wanted anything, he would provide for them. He always let them know that they were loved.
He was a longtime member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, and he held various positions throughout his life, such as elder and trustee. He had a strong voice, and he used that gift to read scripture on Sunday mornings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters: Helen (Vernon) Moehring, Leona (Bud) Amundson, Dorothy (Slim) Halverson, Margaret (Herb) Skinner; and brother Richard, who died at birth.
Gene is survived by his wife, Marion (Reihe) Johnson, who he is waiting for just beyond the moon; his children: Leslee (David) Roe of Hazel, SD; and Jeff (Akiko) Johnson of Watertown, SD. His grandchildren: Tyler Johnson of Canton, SD; E. Aki Johnson of Chicago, IL; and Silas Roe of Hazel, SD.
Memorials may be directed to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 715 2nd St NE, Watertown
SD 57201. Funds will be used to help purchase a new sign.
******** Link for live streaming the Gene Johnson Funeral:
https://youtu.be/960i74jJROg
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Iver Possehl officiating and Dawn LaMee as the organist.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel.
Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD with Ellsworth Air Force Base Military Funeral Honors.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Johnson, Tyler Johnson, David Roe, Silas Roe, Brian Robinson, Mark Redlinger and Randy Nygaard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Bassingthwaite, Steve Magedanz, Merle Heidenreich, Harry Johnson, Kevin Meyer, Dr. Craig Crismon and Brian Benson.
Eugene “Gene” Johnson was born June 4, 1941 to Albin Johnson and Pearl (Marston) Johnson in rural Watertown, SD. He was the youngest and only boy to four sisters. He went to Watertown Senior High School, Class of 1959. After finishing high school, He joined the United States Air Force on August 8, 1960. He was honorably discharged on February 1, 1964 and moved back to Watertown, where he met the love of his life, Marion Reihe. At first, she said “no”, but he persisted. Five years later, she finally said yes, and the rest is history. They were married on June 28, 1969, and were blessed with two children, Leslee and Jeff.
For 36 years, Gene worked as a power lineman at Watertown Municipal Utilities.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed cars and attending car races. He went to spectate different races across the country, and was an avid fan of local racer Jonny Tesch. After retiring, he delivered cars for Sharp Automotive to keep himself out of trouble. On occasion, Marion would drive with him - the pair were inseparable. He also enjoyed traveling with his beloved, and the two went across vast regions of the United States, even as far as Alaska. Gene and Marion also bought a pontoon boat so they could spend their summers on the lake, making memories with each other and their family.
Gene could sense when people weren’t doing well, and he went out of his way to spend quality time with people when they were in need of a companion. This was especially true when it came to his children and grandchildren. Gene was a loving father and grandpa. He always prized his family more than anything else, especially his grandchildren. If his grandkids needed or wanted anything, he would provide for them. He always let them know that they were loved.
He was a longtime member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, and he held various positions throughout his life, such as elder and trustee. He had a strong voice, and he used that gift to read scripture on Sunday mornings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters: Helen (Vernon) Moehring, Leona (Bud) Amundson, Dorothy (Slim) Halverson, Margaret (Herb) Skinner; and brother Richard, who died at birth.
Gene is survived by his wife, Marion (Reihe) Johnson, who he is waiting for just beyond the moon; his children: Leslee (David) Roe of Hazel, SD; and Jeff (Akiko) Johnson of Watertown, SD. His grandchildren: Tyler Johnson of Canton, SD; E. Aki Johnson of Chicago, IL; and Silas Roe of Hazel, SD.
Memorials may be directed to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 715 2nd St NE, Watertown
SD 57201. Funds will be used to help purchase a new sign.