Merle L. Johnson

Funeral Services for Merle L. Johnson will be conducted from the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska, on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Jean Clayton, officiating. Interment will be in the Stamford Cemetery at Stamford, Nebraska.

Merle Leslie Johnson, 85 years of age, of Orleans, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2007, in Hastings, Nebraska. Merle was born February 2, 1922, on the family farm south of Stamford in Harlan County, Nebraska, the fourth of six children of Emil and Esther (Thoren) Johnson. He received his primary education in rural Harlan County south of Stamford and later graduated Stamford High School with the class of 1938. Merle then engaged in farming on the family farm until his induction into the United States Army on February 4, 1943. He later transferred into the Army Air Corps. He served his country during WW II in the Pacific Theater until his honorable discharge on March 11, 1946. He returned home to Stamford, where he met his future wife.

On August 25, 1946, he was united in marriage to Amy E. Harkins and to this union four daughters were born: Cynthia, Leslie, Jennefer and Stephanie. Merle then pursued higher education at the Colorado State College of A & M in Ft. Collins, Colorado, where he received his Bachelors Degree in General Agriculture. Merle taught in Beaver City and Arapahoe, Nebraska. He was also employed as an announcer for KRVN Radio in Lexington, Nebraska, and later served as County Agent in Buffalo County. In 1959, Merle founded the J & H Grain Company in Orleans, which he owned until 1995. Following his retirement from the grain company, Merle remained active in Harlan County as a banker, farmer and cattleman.

Merle was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, where he was active in many capacities. He was a member of the Harold Morin American Post #184 in Orleans and served on the Harlan County Fair Board and Orleans School Board. He was a past president of the South Platte Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Orleans Chamber of Commerce. He loved tending to his cattle and enjoyed traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Amy of Orleans; four daughters: Cindy Bose of Evergreen, Colorado, Leslie Hoffman and her husband, John, of Juniata, Nebraska, Jennefer Cooper and her husband, Rick, of New Braunfels, Texas and Stephanie Beyers and her husband, Bill, of Loveland, Colorado; eight grandchildren; two brothers: Claire Johnson of Denver, Colorado, and Lee Johnson and his wife, Phyllis, of Britton, South Dakota; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Gary Bose; two brothers: Wallace Johnson and Raymond Johnson and one sister, Evelyn Smith.

Mr. Johnson will lie in state at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans on Friday, March 9, 2007, from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

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

The Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.