Sydney Johnson

Sydney Johnson, age 78, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at St. William’s Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Rev. Chris Davis will officiate the service and interment will be at LaBolt Cemetery in LaBolt, SD.

Sydney Lee Johnson was born on February 28, 1945, in Milbank, SD, to Hilding and Mardelle (Nelson) Johnson. He grew up on the family farm between Milbank and Stockholm. Sydney attended country school until eighth grade, then attended Milbank High School and graduated with the Class of 1963. He was on the Milbank High School football team during the “Greeno Era” with a 40-game winning streak and always enjoyed sharing stories about the glory days!

On July 1, 1972, Sydney was united in marriage with Joyce Link. Together, they were blessed with four children: Michael, Stephanie, Kathryn, and Beth Emelia. Sydney and Joyce raised their children into farm life and taught them the value of hard work and taking pride in everything they did. He was very proud of his family, adored his grandchildren and loved to check in with them.

Sydney was a dairy farmer for many years and a rancher his entire life. He especially loved working with cattle, going to the sale barn and watching online cattle auctions. Sydney also enjoyed watching sports, especially football and baseball. He enjoyed connecting with people and rarely missed a chance to meet up with the daily coffee crews, talk on the phone and stay up on the news.

Left to cherish Syndey’s memory are his wife of 51 years, Joyce Johnson of Milbank, SD; his son, Michael (Kelly) Johnson of Aberdeen, SD; his daughters: Stephanie (Luke) Serck of Yankton, SD; and Kathryn (Brian) Wojtanowski of Milwaukee, WI; eight grandchildren: Sydnee Serck, Evan Serck, Isaac Serck, Amelia Johnson, Delaney Johnson, Ellis Johnson, Lincoln Wojtanowski, and Archer Wojtanowski; sister, Gail (Don) Anderson of Bismarck, ND; brothers: Dean (Diane) Johnson of Watertown, SD; Marlyn (Myrna) Johnson of LaBolt, SD; and Rodney (Chong Hui) Johnson of Minneapolis, MN; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Beth Emelia; and two infant grandchildren.