Obituary for Harlan Linell Johnson
Harlan L. Johnson, age 87, of Watertown (formerly of Florence), SD, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Avantara Watertown.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 18, 2021 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor's Janine Rew-Werling and Craig Werling officiating.
Harlan's services will be live streamed through the Hosanna Lutheran Church at www.hosannalutheranwtn.com.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at Helgen Cemetery, rural Florence, SD.
Pallbearers will be Carter Johnson, David Johnson, Aaron Schroeder, George Blais, Marshall Johnson and Noah Johnson.
Harlan Linell Johnson, son of Herman and Alta (Dahl) Johnson was born on July 6, 1933 in Watertown, SD. He grew up on the family farm north of Florence. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith and was a long-time member of New Helgen Lutheran. He attended country school near their home and graduated from Florence High School in 1951. Harlan started farming full time after graduation and farmed with his brother John and their families as “Johnson Brothers”.
On February 5, 1961 he married Patricia Hunter at the First United Methodist Church in Watertown. The couple bought a farm north of Florence and began raising their family. Harlan and his brother John owned a farm equipment business in Watertown from 1974-1985 all while farming.
Harlan was Director of the Florence Elevator board from 1984-2000, a 27 year Dexter Township board clerk, and was a deacon and trustee for New Helgen Church. He worked for the Soil Conservation District after retiring from farming. He was a volunteer at Jenkins for many years and was a member of the Watertown Elks Lodge and a Gideon.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, spending time with his family and especially enjoyed farming his whole life.
Harlan is survived by his children, Louise Johnson of Spencer, IA, JoAnne Franke of Spencer, IA, and Jerry (Lynn) Johnson of Miller, SD; a sister-in-law, Carol Johnson of Watertown, SD; seven grandchildren, Eli Johnson, Danielle Doran, Kara (Sean) Bartholomew, Kirsten (Dillon) Schulz, Kelsey (Nick) Raab, Marshall (Jersee) Johnson, and Noah Johnson; seven great grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews, Connie (George) Blais, Carter (AnneMarie) Johnson, David (Yvonne) Johnson, Aaron Schroeder, Deidra (Brad) Huff, Adley (Mike) Walschlager.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin infant brothers Marvin and Milton, brother John, and one sister Ardis Wilmot.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 18, 2021 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor's Janine Rew-Werling and Craig Werling officiating.
Harlan's services will be live streamed through the Hosanna Lutheran Church at www.hosannalutheranwtn.com.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at Helgen Cemetery, rural Florence, SD.
Pallbearers will be Carter Johnson, David Johnson, Aaron Schroeder, George Blais, Marshall Johnson and Noah Johnson.
Harlan Linell Johnson, son of Herman and Alta (Dahl) Johnson was born on July 6, 1933 in Watertown, SD. He grew up on the family farm north of Florence. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith and was a long-time member of New Helgen Lutheran. He attended country school near their home and graduated from Florence High School in 1951. Harlan started farming full time after graduation and farmed with his brother John and their families as “Johnson Brothers”.
On February 5, 1961 he married Patricia Hunter at the First United Methodist Church in Watertown. The couple bought a farm north of Florence and began raising their family. Harlan and his brother John owned a farm equipment business in Watertown from 1974-1985 all while farming.
Harlan was Director of the Florence Elevator board from 1984-2000, a 27 year Dexter Township board clerk, and was a deacon and trustee for New Helgen Church. He worked for the Soil Conservation District after retiring from farming. He was a volunteer at Jenkins for many years and was a member of the Watertown Elks Lodge and a Gideon.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, spending time with his family and especially enjoyed farming his whole life.
Harlan is survived by his children, Louise Johnson of Spencer, IA, JoAnne Franke of Spencer, IA, and Jerry (Lynn) Johnson of Miller, SD; a sister-in-law, Carol Johnson of Watertown, SD; seven grandchildren, Eli Johnson, Danielle Doran, Kara (Sean) Bartholomew, Kirsten (Dillon) Schulz, Kelsey (Nick) Raab, Marshall (Jersee) Johnson, and Noah Johnson; seven great grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews, Connie (George) Blais, Carter (AnneMarie) Johnson, David (Yvonne) Johnson, Aaron Schroeder, Deidra (Brad) Huff, Adley (Mike) Walschlager.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin infant brothers Marvin and Milton, brother John, and one sister Ardis Wilmot.