David L Johnson

Funeral Services for David L. Johnson will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Chip Borgstadt officiating.  Following the traditional funeral, cremation will take place.  Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege with Military Honors provided by the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the Offutt Air Force Base Funeral Honors Team.

David Lawrence "Dave" Johnson, 73 years of age, of Franklin, Nebraska, formerly of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2017 at his daughter's home in La Vista, Nebraska, following a brief illness.  David was born November 3, 1944, in Ainsworth, Nebraska, the eldest of two children born to Lawrence Everett "Lorney" and Corinne Evelyn (Held) Johnson.  He received his education through the 10 ^th grade from Holdrege Public Schools and then transferred to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, graduating with class of 1963.  He pursued higher education from J.C. Wentworth in Lexington and then returned to Kearney, Nebraska, where he attended Kearney State Teachers College and worked for Strong Bros. Chevrolet.

With the eruption of the Vietnam War, Dave enlisted in the Air Force on September 9, 1966.  He was trained as an In-Flight Refueling Systems Repairman, serving in Thailand and was honorably discharged on July 29, 1970.  He received the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star.  Dave served in the Reserve Capacity until June 12, 1972.

In May of 1967, Dave was united in marriage to Marsha Mau at the Beale Air Force Base in California and to this union two children were born:  Michael and Kendra.  Following his service, he returned to Holdrege and worked for Black Motor Company and Big A Auto Parts.  He then began a 30 year career at Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company, where he worked as a Large Capacity Meter Technician until his retirement in 2003.

In August of 1979, Dave was united in marriage to Roberta "Bobbie" (Nantkes) Ludeke in Holdrege.  Dave and Bobbie moved to Cozad, Nebraska in 1993, and after retirement, moved to Franklin in 2003.  Bobbie preceded him in death on July 12, 2007.

Dave enjoyed auto repair, woodworking, waterskiing and gardening.  He was an avid Husker Football Fan and also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dave was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as the Treasurer for 8 years. He was also a member of the B.P.O. of Elks, a Lifetime Member of the VFW Post #5757, serving as Commander from 2015 to the present, and the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 of Holdrege, for 47 years, where he provided military honors for both. Dave served on the Franklin Housing Authority, and the Franklin County VSO Committee and was a Golden AGE Village Board member, since 2014.  He also enjoyed volunteering with the Head Start in Franklin.

Besides his parents and wife, Bobbie, he was preceded in death by; sister-in-law, Gayle Johnson; and aunt, Kathern Sissien and her husband, Alfred.

Dave leaves to celebrate his life; his children:  Mike Johnson and his wife, Jamie of Holdrege and Kendra Amidon and her wife, Spring of La Vista, Nebraska; step-children:  Brad Ludeke and his wife, Tracie of Holdrege, Pat Ludeke of Fremont, Nebraska and Laura Tobiassen of Wilcox, Nebraska; 9 grandchildren: Bailey Johnson; Derek Johnson; Matthew Durnal; Brittany Plank and her wife, Savannah; Kirsten Plank and her fiancé, Dylan Rehbock; Alexis Plank; Kylie Gabriel; Kelsie Gardels and her husband, Thomas; and Lexie Ludeke;  one great-granddaughter, Amyiah Ross; brother, James H. Johnson of Kona, Hawaii; brothers-in-law, Steve Nantkes of North Platte, Nebraska and Jeff Nantkes of Holdrege; nieces and nephew: Deborah Corcoran of San Marcos, California; Beth Daniel of Sautee, California; and Rob Johnson and his wife, Mary of Bonita, California; along with other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 29, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Dave's honor and will be designated to support Veterans.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.