Verdon Johnson

Funeral Services for Verdon Johnson will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Bertrand, Nebraska on Friday, September 14, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Mary Fuller officiating. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand.

Verdon Johnson, 91 years of age of Bertrand, passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege, Nebraska. He was born July 29, 1921 on the family farm north of Bertrand in Phelps County, Nebraska, the third of five children born to Elmer A. and Ella (Swanson) Johnson. He received his primary education from country school north of Bertrand and then graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1939. Following his education, he engaged in farming with his father.

In 1949 he was united in marriage to Evelyn Coates, and to this union six children were born: Annette, Louise, Stan, Melva, Blair and Wendell. The family made their home north of Bertrand, where Verdon continued his lifelong passion of farming. In 1976, Verdon was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn. In 1982, Verdon was united in marriage to Alma Cover, and the couple continued to make their home north of Bertrand. Alma passed away in 1993.

In his younger years, Verdon enjoyed playing softball and bowling. His other hobby was woodworking, and enjoyed going to craft fairs to share his wood creations.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bertrand.

Verdon leaves to mourn his passing, his six children: Annette Hall and her husband, Jerry of Lincoln, Nebraska, Louise Johnson of Savage, Minnesota, Stan Johnson and his wife, Karen of Omaha, Nebraska, Melva Johnson of Omaha, Blair Johnson and his wife, Donnette of Wilcox, Nebraska and Wendell Johnson and his wife, Betty of Big Lake, Minnesota; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Richard Peterson of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents and two wives, Verdon was preceded in death by his one brother, Eugene Johnson; three sisters: Elaine Kremlacek and her husband, Ray, Gladys Meeker and her husband, Ray, and Wilma Peterson; one grandson, Mark Evans; and one great-granddaughter, Addison Henery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand.

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 arrangements.