Lester A . Johnson

Lester A. Johnson, age 82 of New Hampton, Iowa died on Friday, June 22, 2012 at New Hampton Care Center in New Hampton. Lester Adolph Johnson was born in the Elma Hospital on September 1, 1929 the son of Joe and Carrie (Northness) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Jerico Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was still a member. He attended rural schools and after graduation from the eighth grade he helped on his father’s farm and also hauled cream. Later he helped another farmer and also became employed at A.R. Morse Implement in New Hampton as a mechanic. On January 28, 1953 he was united in marriage to Marlys Lee Schanfeld of Alta Vista at United Bretheran Church in Alta Vista. Later in 1953 Lester entered the US Army stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas. The following year he was stationed in New York becoming a guided missile instructor. He served his country until May of 1955 when he was honorably discharged. Also he took the GED test graduating with four years of high school and one year of college. After coming home from the service he started farming and also worked at McGrath Implement. They later purchased the farm and Lester continued to farm. They became the parents of three children Donald, Richard and Wayne. Lester is survived by his wife Marlys of New Hampton; children Donald (Pat) Johnson of New Hampton and Wayne Johnson of New Hampton; four grandchildren Trisha, Trevor, Tony and Chance; one step grandson Josh; four great grandchildren Hailiegh, Cameron, Kaiden and Lucas; and three step great grandchildren Garred, Dawson and Trent. He is preceded in death by his son Richard who was killed in an auto accident in 1978; great grandson Logan; sisters and brothers Alvie (Gertrude) Johnson, Josephine (Clarence) Marik, Olaf (Marge) Johnson and Alice (Carlton) Landswerk. Cemetery: Burial will be in Jerico Lutheran Cemetery at Jerico,Iowa with Tony Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Chad Smith, Chance Johnson, Joseph Meirick and Tom Frantzen serving as casket bearers. Visitation will be 1:00pm to 2:00pm, Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Jerico Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerico. Funeral services will be 2:00pm, Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Jerico Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerico, Iowa with Pastor Daniel Larson officiating.