Donald Eugene Johnson

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Donald E Johnson of Garretson, SD, age 87, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Family will be available to greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson at 1:00 pm Wednesday, June 15, 2016.

Donald E. Johnson was born on January 12, 1929 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Harry and Stella (Dieseth) Johnson. Don was raised in Hamburg, North Dakota. At the age of 5, he entered 1 ^st grade and graduated high school from Fessenden, North Dakota in 1946.

On September 16, 1950, Don married his sweetheart, Sybel Georgeson. In 1951, they moved to Columbia, South Carolina and later to Franklin, Indiana where Don was stationed in the Korean War. They made their first home in The Great Northern Depot in Selz, North Dakota where they completed their family with the arrival of son, Jeff and daughter Julie. In 1968, they moved to Harvey, North Dakota.

In 1972 they moved to Garretson when Don transferred as the Depot Agent. Garretson quickly became home to Don and Sybel as they were embraced by numerous friends. Don retired from the Burlington Northern Railroad in Sioux Falls in 1992. Don and Sybel shared 52 years of love together before she passed away in 2003.

Don was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council and sang in the church choir. He was also honored to mentor confirmation youth. Don was a proud member of the Garretson American Legion.

In his retirement years, Don discovered the world of karaoke, often singing 3 to 4 evenings a week while enjoying winters in Mesa, Arizona. Whether in his home or in his car, Don was likely to be listening to music, often singing along. In addition to music, he loved cruising Garretson in his golf cart, working at the Devils Gulch visitor center and enjoying his time with special friend, Dorothy Sorenson.

He is lovingly remembered by his special friend, Dorothy Sorenson, Garretson; son, Jeff (Alice) Johnson, White Lake, SD; daughter Julie (Mark Vandersnick) Garry; Sioux Falls, SD; Grandchildren Heidi Salonen, Adam (Jen) Garry, John (Alie Wolken) Garry; Great Grandchildren TJ Salonen, Lawsin Dechon, Laytin Dechon, Jack Walton, Tate Walton, LouLu Walton and Brody Garry; sister and brother-in-laws Jeanette & Jon Myers, Arlene & Glenn Rudel, Mae Peppel, Donna & Charles Brown, Carol Jensen, Arden & Linda Georgeson and Judy James; and many very special nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Stella (Dieseth) Johnson, his wife of 52 years, Sybel (Georgeson) Johnson; sister Margorie McCabe; son-in-law Jeff Garry; and brothers-in-law Elton McCabe, Dick Jensen, Don Peppel, and Nyle James.