Howard Johnson

Lake Norden, South Dakota

Funeral Service

11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Trinity Lutheran Church

Lake Norden, South Dakota

Rev. Gene Peterson, Officiating

Visitation

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday at Geise Funeral Chapel in Lake Norden

Interment

10:00 A.M. MST, Friday, January 2, 2009

Black Hills National Cemetery

Sturgis, South Dakota

Howard Johnson, son of Mike and Bessie (McLaughlin) Johnson, was born September 28, 1925, on a farm near Dempster, South Dakota. He started his schooling in Dempster and later moved to a farm near Estelline where he graduated from high school in 1942. He worked as a lineman for Tri County Telephone Company prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy on July 28, 1944. After Howard was honorably discharged on July 19, 1946, he married Elvie Tormanen on June 12, 1947. They farmed and he worked as an electrician near Lake Norden until he started work for Sam Torgrude Construction as a laborer and heavy equipment operator. In the early 1960's Howard moved to Colton, South Dakota where he bought Torgrude's Highway Construction and started Dakota Improvement Company which he owned and operated until he retired and moved back to Lake Norden in 1986. After retirement they spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona and the rest of the year he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Howard died on Friday, December 26, 2008, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown from a massive stroke at the age of 83 years, 2 months and 28 days.

Grateful for having shared his life are two sons, Chuck and his wife Sherry of Greeley, CO, Larry and his wife Gail of Orchard, CO; a grandson Brandon and his wife Timmi, a granddaughter Summer and her husband Anthony Scandariato; three great grandchildren, Jagger, Ava and Liliana; one brother Bill and his wife Kay of Jackson, MN; two brothers - in - law, Marvin Tormanen and his wife Marilyn of Lake Norden and Alvin Tormanen and his wife Rena of Walnut Creek, CA; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Elvie of on January 13, 2006, an infant son Randy Lee and his parents.