Cortland Johnson

Cortland Johnson, 86, of rural Baltic died Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls after a two year battle with amyloidosis.

Cortland was born at rural Elrod, Clark County, South Dakota, on March 11, 1925, to parents Milo and Hulda (Moren) Johnson. He was baptized at Benton Lutheran Church, Crooks, his family’s home church in which his Swedish immigrant great-grandparents were charter members. He attended Southeast Elrod Country School and then in 1937 moved with his parents to a farm northwest of Crooks. He was confirmed at Benton Lutheran Church and graduated from Lyons High School in 1943.

Cortland was active in 4-H. He established a purebred Angus herd along with purebred hogs and sheep. He exhibited numerous champions and also earned a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress. He farmed with his father after high school.

On June 7, 1946, he married Marilyn Otterby, daughter of Alfred and Selma (Berven) Otterby, at West Nidaros Lutheran Church. They made their home on Cortland’s grandfather’s farm, ½ mile north of the Benton Lutheran Church. In 1948, they moved west of Baltic where he farmed, did custom baling and continued his purebred Angus herd, later known as Marico Angus.

Cortland served on numerous local boards, including many at West Nidaros Lutheran Church, (where he was a member for over sixty years), Luther Manor Nursing Home, and the board that organized the Minnehaha County Juvenile Detention Home. He also served on the Lyons Township Board, was president of the Southeastern South Dakota Angus Association, and in 1958 was elected as a State Representative for Minnehaha County.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 64 years, Marilyn, Baltic; four children Linda (Wayne) Larson, Baltic, Gloria (David) Mills, Colton, Kent (Cindy) Johnson and Wyn (Charlene) Johnson, of Baltic; fifteen grandchildren: Darin (Connie) Larson, Ryan (Shelly) Larson, Baltic, Randy (Julie) Larson, Crooks, Louisa (Jade) Kvale, Baltic, Matthew (April) Mills, Bremerton, WA, Cortney Mills, Miami, FL, Amanda Mills, Los Gatos, CA, Alexander Mills, Colton, Kerri Rollag, Baltic, Kelsi Johnson, Sioux Falls, Wyatt Johnson, Crystal, MN, Katie, Ethan, Danya, and Kyler Johnson, Baltic; ten great grandchildren: Madeline, Meredith, Grant, Lacey, and Sutton Larson, Helen and Theodore Mills, Nicole Weber, Sidney Hussey, and Cael Rollag; a sister Shirley Johnson, Westminster, CO; two brothers, Merlyn (Mary Lou) Johnson, Maurice, IA; Charles (Marge)Johnson, Gales Ferry, CT. He was preceded in death by his son, Craig in 1977 and his parents.

Due to construction in the West Nidaros sanctuary, funeral services will be held at Benton Lutheran Church, rural Crooks on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 PM Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at Benton Lutheran Church.
Burial will be following the services at West Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery with lunch in the West Nidaros Family Life Center.