Michael Johnson, 71, of Lynnville, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, Nov. 2, 2023, at Des Moines VA Medical Center. As was his wish, his body has been cremated. A private family graveside service was in the West Liberty Cemetery near Montezuma.
Michael Wayne Johnson was born Jan. 8, 1952, to Delno and Nira (Schneider) Johnson in Denver, CO. He attended Lynnville-Sully School and enlisted in the United States Marines from 1971 to 1978. Mike received his GED while serving in the Marines. He was honorably discharged and Apr. 10, 1982, was united in marriage to Jessann Meredith in Lynnville. They became the parents of Ryan. Mike and Jessann ran the bus depot and cab service in Grinnell for several years. He also worked at DeLong’s for a short time and Farmhand until it closed. Mike then worked for the Des Moines Register for five years and joined Whirlpool in 2001, retiring in July 2022. He then served as a minister for seven years in Searsboro until he had health concerns. He was good and loyal to his friends. Mike enjoyed especially his family, cooking, baking, gardening, and working on vehicles. He loved to tell stories to his grandchildren and taught them many things including cooking. Mike was very patriotic and proud of his country. Mike attended his grandchildren’s activities and supported them in many ways.
His legacy will be honored by his wife Jessann Johnson of Lynnville; his son Ryan (Kelli) Johnson of Sully; his grandchildren Cayden (Jordyn) Johnson, Brodey (Stella Terpstra) Johnson, and Kendric “Burt” Johnson; his great-grandchildren Beau and Brooks Johnson; his mother Nira Wilkinson of Mountain Home, AR; his brother Charles (Deb) Johnson of Sully; his sister Charleen Ahrenstorff of Mountain Home, AR; and many other relatives and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Delno Johnson; his brother, George Johnson; and his brother-in-law, Michael Ahrenstorff.
