Leland Ray Johnson

          Leland Rayfield Johnson, 93, of Dannebrog died Monday, January 02, 2017 at Rose Lane Nursing Home in Loup City.

          Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Dannebrog.  Reverend Sheri Lodel will officiate.  Inurnment will be in Oakridge Cemetery in Dannebrog with military honors by Mickelsen Larkowski American Legion Post #241 of Dannebrog. 

          Visitation will be held on Friday, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church in Dannebrog.

          Memorials are suggested to AsceraCare Hospice, Rose Lane Nursing Home or the family’s choice.

          Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul is handling the arrangements.

          Ray was born to David A. and Maude M. (Burke) Johnson, on May 17, 1923 in Wolbach.

          Ray received his education in Greeley and Howard Counties.  He attended Lutheran College in Wahoo for one year.

          Ray volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in May 1943.  In October 1944, he was sent overseas to the European Theater, serving in a hospital in Paris identifying incoming wounded soldiers. Ray felt fortunate to be able to attend the War Crime Trials at Nuremberg, Germany in February, 1946.  He received his discharge as Staff Sergeant in April 1946.

          He was united in marriage to Shirley L. Nielsen on September 28, 1947 in Dannebrog.

          The couple owned and operated a grocery business in Dannebrog from 1947 to 1991.  He constructed and operated Johnson’s Steakmaster from 1970 until 1996.  Ray also served as a substitute mail carrier for many years.  He retired in 1996.

          He restored the First State Bank building in 1997. 

          Ray was active in community activities.  He enjoyed golfing and all sports, bird watching, flower planting and yard work.    

          He was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Dannebrog, Mickelsen Larkowski American Legion Post #241 of Dannebrog and the VFW.

          Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia and Bill McDonald of Rockville and Sandra and Steve Hoke of Omaha; a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Kerry Johnson of Chadron; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, David Appel of Council Bluffs; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Nielsen of Lincoln.

          He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley on November 21, 2016; two brothers, Dale and Clayton Johnson; and a sister, Eileen Appel.  

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