Waynard B. Johnson

Celebration of Life Service for Waynard B. Johnson will be held at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Darren Stroh officiating. Private family inurnment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege prior to the services.

Waynard Bryce Johnson, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at his home in Holdrege. Waynard was born May 10, 1938 in Holdrege, the eldest of two children born to Ralph and Erma (Hoffman) Johnson. He was baptized with his father in 1946 and at that time they both became members of the First Baptist Church. He received his primary education from a rural school through the eighth grade and then graduated with the Holdrege High School class of 1955.

On May 20, 1956 he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Donna Jean Kreutzer at the First Baptist Church. To this union three children were born: Clettis Eugene, Stanley Michael and Christine Annette. The family made their home on a farm, 4 ½ miles south of Holdrege, where Waynard engaged in his life-long passion of farming. He enjoyed working side-by-side with his father, and in the later years his sons: Mike and Clettis. Waynard also learned how to level land from his uncle, Johnny Johnson and enjoyed operating the heavy equipment.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, where he served as a past trustee and deacon on the church board. He also served on the R-7 School Board, the Prairie Township Board, and on the rural telephone board for several years. Waynard was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and enjoyed being one of the Shriner clowns for years, especially making balloon animals for the children.

He enjoyed flying with his father in his plane, but most of all, he enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter, who were his pride and joy.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Stanley "Mike" Johnson and his sister, Janet King and her husband, Craig and sister-in-law, Melissa Kreutzer.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Donna Johnson of Holdrege; two children: Clettis Johnson of Holdrege and Christine Keas of Ft. Worth, Texas; daughter-in-law, Lisa Johnson of Holdrege; four grandchildren: Vanessa, Samantha and Richard Johnson, and Josiah Keas; great-granddaughter, Katrina Johnson; brothers-in-law: Marlo Kreutzer and his wife, Sharon of Funk, Nebraska and Terry Kreutzer of Keystone, Nebraska; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorial book signing will be held on Monday, November 23, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Waynard's honor 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.