Harold L Johnson

Funeral Services for Harold L. Johnson will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church in rural Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Randy Simmons and Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating.  Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, with Military Honors provided by the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; the Johnson family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend the visitation and funeral service, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.

Harold's funeral service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page. ( https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622 ).

Harold Leslie Johnson, 97 years of age, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege, surrounded by his family. Harold was born February 21, 1924 at rural Shelton, Nebraska, the youngest of three children born to Carl and Meta (Hadenfeldt) Johnson. He attended rural schools in Hall County, Nebraska near Shelton, and then attended Shelton High School, graduating with the class of 1941.

Following his education, he moved to Olympia, Washington and worked on a dairy for 2 years. When World War II started, he enlisted into the United States Army. He was involved in the D-Day invasion of France. After the war, he returned to Nebraska.

In 1947, he was united in marriage to Lorene Lacey and to this union, three children were born: Larry Duane, Nancy Ann, and Rebecca Sue. The family made their home in Omaha, Nebraska, where Harold was employed for over 35 years at the United States Post Office. Upon his retirement, Harold and Lorene went to Quito, Ecuador, where they worked for four years at the Alliance Academy; a school for missionary children. At the Academy, he oversaw the audio-visual equipment. Upon returning to the United States, the couple then began to make their home in the Holdrege area. In 2017, the couple celebrated their 70 ^th Wedding Anniversary.

Harold and Lorene loved to travel. After their years in Ecuador, they enjoyed traveling in the United States, a tour of Europe, and a trip to Israel.  Harold also enjoyed watching Husker Football and the Kansas City Royals.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Rebecca Opfer; one great-granddaughter, Jordan Zickefoose; and two sisters and their husbands:  Avanell (Fred) Luhn; and Ila (Albert) Kohnk.

Harold leaves to celebrate his life; his loving wife of 74 years, Lorene Johnson of Holdrege; two children: Larry Johnson and his wife, Patti of Overland Park, Kansas; and Nancy Hansen and her husband, Andy of rural Elm Creek, Nebraska; his grandchildren; great-grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family present.

A memorial has been established in Harold's honor, and kindly suggested to the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church.

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.