Eugene Harry Johnson

     Eugene Harry Johnson, the son of Ernest and Grayce (Pedersen) Johnson, was born February 7, 1928 in Alta, IA.  

      Gene grew up on the farm and though he left the farm, the love of farming never left him. Gene graduated from Fairview Consolidated School in 1945 where he enjoyed playing basketball. He also attended Buena Vista College. On February 14, 1949, he married Lois M. Sierck at her parents’ home in Spencer, IA. They established their first home near Alta, IA, where Gene farmed. They moved to Morris, MN, then back to Iowa near Rembrandt in 1962, where Gene joined Tuloma as a plant manager. He worked his way up to Area Manger as the company made many transformations and became a division of Standard Oil. In 1966, they moved to Arnolds Park and finally to Spencer where they have resided since 1968. He worked for Gilmore Manufacturing and owned an office supply store in Spencer while continuing to farm the family land near Alta. Gene then worked many years as a crop insurance adjuster for State Farm Insurance. 

      Gene had many talents including wood carving, painting and making just about anything out of metal using his welder. His greatest passion was fishing. He made several fishing rods and many lures of his own. Many a Thursday night was spent on Lake Okoboji allowing the kids to water ski until dusk and then fishing for walleyes. The family vacation for many years was a weeklong stay at a resort on a Minnesota lake. For 30 plus summers, he and Lois enjoyed fishing and friendships at the Hobo Park Campground in Starbuck, MN. 

      He passed away surrounded by family at the Spencer Hospital on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at the age of 92. Gene was preceded in death by his wife Lois of 71 years on November 9, 2020, his parents and brother Norman, 

      He is survived by his children: Steven (Marta) Johnson of Spencer, Douglas (MeShell Cornett) Johnson of Arnolds Park, IA, Debra (Joel) Hurst of Spirit Lake, IA, Jeffrey (Trish) Johnson of Avon, MN and Angela (John) Hameister of Milford, IA; 15 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren (one expected in April), 2 great great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends. 

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