Gordon Johnson

Gordon Johnson, age 97, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the Avantara Milbank nursing home.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Homes in Milbank and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Rev. Melanie Reiners will officiate, and interment will be at the Milbank City Cemetery.

Gordon Richard Johnson was born on September 26, 1926, at home on the family farm near Marvin, SD, to Elmer and Bertina (Barlund) Johnson. A kind and hardworking young man, Gordon began farming full-time at age 14 and dedicated the rest of his life to it. He found great comfort and purpose in the fields he tended, and despite his humble education, his determination and resilience allowed him to thrive in the agricultural industry.

In 1950, he enlisted in the army and was stationed for two years in Fort Benning, GA where he served as an M1 Garand weapon systems trainer for soldiers being sent to Korea. Part of this training included disassembling their rifle blindfolded, a feat he could still perform many years later.

On August 30, 1953, Gordon married Katherine Wilms who became his partner in life and his partner on the farm. Together, they raised five children along with an assortment of animals and fields of small grains, corn, soybeans, and one very unfortunate sorghum incident. Gordon designed and built many of the farm buildings himself and, resourceful to a fault, was always finding ways to reuse and repurpose them. Gordon and Kathy were married for 51 years before her death in 2004.

While he enjoyed nothing more than spending a day in the fields, he also found great pleasure on the open road, frequently traveling to visit National Parks with his family (often starting trips at the crack of dawn). In 2005, he went overseas for the first time to visit his ancestral home of Norway with his daughter, Debbi, where they had the opportunity to meet with several extended family members. Even in his final days, he was still discovering new roads and revisiting old ones.

Although he was a soft-spoken man, Gordon greatly enjoyed the company of others and spent much of his free time having coffee with friends, enjoying 2-for-1 wing nights, and playing dice. He was also an avid Twins fan.

Gordon was not only a man of the land, but also a devoted member of the Living Word Lutheran Church. His faith was a guiding force throughout his life, providing him with strength and comfort during challenging times.

Gordon is survived by his children: Debbi (Bob) Higginbotham of Huntsville, AL; Robert Johnson (Teresa Purcell) of Milbank, SD; and Sharon (Jon) Wollman of Sioux Falls, SD; 12 grandchildren: Bradley and Quenten Johnson; Bobby and Ricky Higginbotham; Greg and Laura Johnson; Heidi and Kirstie Wollman; Andrew and Matthew Russman; and Holly and Maria Francis; five great-grandchildren: Hannah and Carter Johnson; Ezra and Madeline Russman; and Graham Higginbotham; son-in-law, Mark Francis of Elkhart Lake, WI; sister, Marilyn Stemsrud of Milbank, SD; sister-in-law, Marcella Johnson of Milbank, SD; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Johnson; son, Larry Johnson; daughter, Janene Francis; parents, Elmer and Bertina Johnson; and brother, Herbert Johnson.