Robert W. Johnson

Funeral Services for Robert W. Johnson will be conducted from the Evangelical Free Church in Loomis, Nebraska on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Tom Thompson, officiating. Interment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Loomis Veteran's Organization in conjunction with the U.S. Army National Guard Honors Team.

Robert Wesley Johnson, 90 years of age, of Loomis, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege, Nebraska. He was born January 17, 1918 at Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of two sons born to John and Martha (Swensen) Johnson. Bob received his education at Chicago, graduating from Lakeview High School with the class of 1936.

Following his education, Bob served in the United States Army National Guard and worked as a mechanic in a machine shop. Bob was residing at Chicago when he met Nema Alvina Veegert and on July 25, 1942 the couple was united in marriage. To this union two sons were born: Clifford and Charles. Bob served his country in the United States Army in the South Pacific during WW II; he earned several awards including a Bronze Star with the 96th Infantry Division. During his service, Nema returned home to Loomis to the Veegert family home. Following his honorable discharge, Bob and Nema raised their sons and continued to reside in the family home, where Nema grew up. He returned to work as a mechanic in Loomis and Holdrege for a few years prior to his employment as the custodian for Loomis Public Schools, where he worked for over 29 years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nema on July 22, 2008. Since December of 2008, Bob was blessed with loving care at the Christian Homes Care Community.

The couple enjoyed traveling to Denmark and Sweden after their retirement and spending time with their family. They also enjoyed making trips to several Army reunions around the country. In addition to his travels, Bob was honored to take his mother to her homeland in Denmark, prior to her passing. He was a past member of the Methodist Church in Loomis, prior to the closing of the church. For many years Bob served as a volunteer Fireman and enjoyed his membership in the South Central Nebraska Amateur Radio Association.

He leaves to mourn his passing his two sons: Cliff Johnson and his wife, Janelle of Trenton, Nebraska and Chuck Johnson and his wife, Ellen of Holdrege; six grandchildren: Paula Johnson of Trenton, David Johnson and his wife, Tiffany of Lytle, Texas, Scott Johnson of Gibbon, Nebraska, Erik Johnson and his wife, Amy of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Aaron and Kate Johnson both of Holdrege; five great-grandchildren: Brook, Isaac, Brandon, Sunny and Chloe; and other relatives and friends. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Howard Johnson.

Bob will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

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.