George Johnson

Funeral services for George Johnson are scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lucas Baptist Church, in Lucas, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating, and Joel Johnson giving the eulogy.

Music will be provided by the Swift family, vocalists, accompanied by Michaela Johnson, organist. Sharla Spencer and Tonia Walline are in charge of registration, flower attendants were the granddaughters.

Casket bearers are Joel Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Nathan Johnson, Chad Cooper, Mike Johnson and Jamie Klingberg.

Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

George Leroy Johnson was born January 21, 1922, on the farm southeast of Lucas, SD, to Charles and Olive (Fish) Johnson. He was the fourth of nine children. George graduated from the eighth grade at the Hornbeck School southeast of Lucas, attended one year at Burke High School and finished his education, graduating from Lucas High School in 1941.

After graduation, George went to Nebraska and held various jobs such as picking potatoes, bagging soybeans, loading sugar beets on trucks, and working at an ammunition plant. He then returned to Lucas, SD, to the farm life. When farming with his dad, Charles, George was re-introduced to Vyrle Swift.

George was united in marriage to Vyrle Swift on April 9, 1944, at the First Baptist Church in Lucas, SD, and this union lasted seventy years. They purchased the home farm of 320 acres from George’s parents. What had been used previously for grain storage was transformed into their home for the next 51 years. Slowly, as they could afford it, modern conveniences such as electricity, running water, and indoor plumbing and a bathroom were added. Five children were born to this union. As the family increased, updates and house additions were made. George worked hard to build his Hereford cattle herd and the registered Hereford bulls that he sold. He gave his time in community service by helping maintain rural telephone lines, helping neighbors when needed, and serving on the Burke School Board for 29 years.

George was 19 years old when he found his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was baptized in the Lucas Baptist Church in 1941, and he began serving his church by age 25, when he became a trustee of the church. He served his Lord, and his Church, in many capacities, such as Sunday school teacher, deacon, trustee, and Sunday school superintendent.

In June of 1995, George and Vyrle moved from their farm home of 51 years, and purchased a home in Gregory, SD. In later years, due to Vyrle’s declining health, they moved to Silver Threads Assisted Living. Vyrle passed away February 5, 2015, and George remained at Silver Threads until 2017, when he entered Avera Rosebud Country Care Center, and stayed until the time of his passing.

George passed away on Sunday, November 14, 2021.

George is survived by his five children and their spouses: Sharon (Robert) Cooper, Rapid City, SD, Jerry (Brenda), New London, MN, Myron (Carol), Burke, SD, Jim (Diane), Brandon, SD, and Steve (Karla), Burke, SD; fourteen grandchildren, forty-four great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Mildred Johnson, Verlene Swift, Delores Carey, and Luella Christensen and her husband, Ivan; and a host of relatives.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Olive, and eight siblings and their spouses: Leslie Johnson, Millie and Johnnie Osnes, Almon and Floy Johnson, Harold Johnson, Marjorie and Calvin Swift, Luella and Walt Frey, Irene and Pat Pine, and Bob Johnson; brothers-in-law Kenneth Swift and Russell Carey along with some nieces and nephews.