Warren C Johnson

Warren C. Johnson, 86 years of age, of Ravenna, Nebraska (formerly of Orleans, Nebraska) passed away on Monday, May 25, 2009 at the Ravenna Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna, Nebraska. Private Family Graveside Services will be held on Friday, May 29, 2009 at the Orleans Cemetery. Following the Interment, Memorial services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2009 at the Prayer Baptist Church in Orleans with Pastor Michael David officiating.

Warren C. Johnson was born on November 24, 1922 in Kearney, Nebraska, the second of six children of Roy Elmer and Flossie Mae (Lash) Johnson. He attended school at Orleans where he was the state of Nebraska Class C High Jump Champion in 1941. He graduated with the Orleans High School class of 1941. Warren enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1941 where he faithfully served his country during World War II. During his military career, he achieved the status of Lance Corporal while being stationed in the south pacific and was honorably discharged in 1945.

On July 24, 1952, Warren was united in marriage to Louise Marie Alice Theye at Laramie, Wyoming and to this union five children were born: Steve, Arlene, Rolland, Marilyn and Rita. The couple made their home in Denver, Colorado. The family moved to Orleans, Nebraska in 1957 where Warren was employed by the Burlington Railroad as a Bridge Foreman. He was also the secretary and treasurer for their union for many years. Warren retired from his career with the railroad in 1982 after having sustained multiple leg injuries from a tragic fall while working. He was told that he would never walk again, and shortly after, Warren returned to work before retiring.

Warren loved to spend time with his family especially his grandchildren. He also loved to garden. He was simply a "big kid" who roller bladed for the first time at the age of 70.

Besides his parents, He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Arlene; one sister, Mildred Middaugh; three brothers, Wayne, Harold and Robert Johnson.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Louise Johnson of Ravenna, Nebraska; daughters, Marilyn Wells and her husband Rich of Afton, Wyoming and Rita Johnson-Snyder and her husband Jerry of Greybull, Wyoming; sons, Steve Johnson and his wife Connie of Kansas City, Missouri and Rolland Johnson of Orleans, Nebraska; sister, Beverly Boston and her husband Bill of Alma, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Hilde Johnson of Chico, California and Stella Johnson of Orleans, Nebraska; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Warren will lie in state at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans on Thursday, May 28, 2009 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Orleans American Legion or Asera Care Hospice of Kearney, Nebraska.

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

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