Roger E. Johnson, age 75, of Ute, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023, as the result of a farm accident near Ute, Iowa.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Ute, Iowa. Rev. Nathan Peitsch will officiate. Committal services will follow in the St. Clair Township Cemetery of Ute, Iowa.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Eulogy readings and family remarks at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ute, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Born September 7, 1947 on the family farm eight miles south of Ute, Roger was the son of Elvin and Ruby (Ehlers) Johnson. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith as an infant and was later confirmed in the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ute in 1961. Roger received his education and graduated from Charter Oak-Ute High School with the class of 1965. On July 8, 1967, Roger married Susan Hanks in the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ute where Roger was a lifetime member. The couple were blessed with three children: Lisa, Eric, and Scott. The couple later parted ways 1979.
Roger was a life-long farmer. He loved being outside raising livestock and working in the fields. He spent countless hours working with his dad and his brother Rodney in his younger years. Even at an age when many men retire, Roger was excited about this spring’s planting season and told his family how good he felt. He died doing what he wanted to do, and his family finds solace in that.
A true family man, Roger was also a devoted son to his parents during their lifetimes, as well as a loving father to his three children. He enjoyed visiting with his five grandchildren and always had a funny (and probably slightly embellished) story to share.
When Roger wasn’t working, his hobbies included: going to the casino, drinking Dr. Pepper, smoking his cigarettes, watching Ag Day, and the Weather Channel. As a person whose livelihood depended on weather, Roger could predict weather as well as any television forecaster. He also enjoyed looking at maps planning new routes to and from his son’s home in Texas for his many trips through the years.
Roger is survived by: daughter Lisa Harrill and husband Jim of Ute, IA; son Eric Johnson and husband Dr. Mark Parker of Dallas, TX; and son Scott Johnson and wife Mia of San Bernardino, CA. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Marcus (Anyssa) Steffen, Jonathon Steffen, Emily Steffen, Seth Johnson, and Selah Johnson; children by choice Wayne Johnson, Vanessa A. Crawford, Christy Horstman, and Michael Lewis; extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his two brothers, Rodney and Kevin Johnson; a sister-in-law, Jane Johnson Hinkel; the mother of his children and former wife, Susan Baak; and special friends Josie Falter and Tammy Thoreson.
Previous Events
Visitation
3
May
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
7:00 p.m. Eulogy readings and Family Remarks
Funeral Service
4
May
303 E 4th St
Ute, IA 51060
Graveside
4
May
Ute, IA
