Mildred Johnson

Funeral services for Mildred Johnson were held on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lucas Baptist Church in Lucas, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating. Music was provided by Tracie Ritz, soloist, accompanied by Shawnda Hazen, pianist. Sue Chytka was in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Justin Johnson, Chad Hanrahan, Andrew Johnson, Matt Rozeboom, Jeff Ritz, and Josh Jochim. Honorary casket bearers were all of Mildred’s family and friends. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mildred Marie (Nelson) Johnson was born to George Ejner and Lora (Swift) Nelson on February 18, 1929, at Lucas, SD. She had two sisters and a brother for siblings. Mildred passed on May 17, 2024, at Gregory, SD.

Mildred attended the Bunnel School from first to eighth grade and graduated from Burke High School. She received her teaching certificate through the University of South Dakota in Springfield, SD, and went on to teach in the Lucas area.

She married Harold Raymond Johnson on July 13, 1947, in the Lucas Baptist Church, and they drove their 1934 Ford Coupe to California on their honeymoon. They had seven children: David Lee, Laura Dianne, Patricia Lynn, Beverly Kay, Jeffery Harold, Douglas Raymond, and Sarah Marie. While Harold farmed, ranched, and milked cows, Mildred was an avid gardener who enjoyed canning, freezing produce, reading books, studying the Bible, sewing, baking bread, and raising her children. She was always prepared with coffee and sweets when company dropped in. Mildred loved to go outside early in the morning to work in her garden.

During her youth, few knew that Mildred was a “tomboy” who wore her bib overalls to help her dad outside, and she liked to climb fences. Her children were surprised to know that she might have had an “ornery” streak.

Mildred was a dedicated Christian woman who was baptized on June 26, 1938, and became a life-time member of the Lucas Baptist Church where she held several positions throughout the years. She read and studied the Bible daily, and it was very important to her to make sure her family knew and loved the Lord and served Him as her mother had. Mildred was the last survivor of the Nelson and Johnson generations of that time at 95 years old.

Mildred is survived by her daughter-in-law Anna Johnson of Burke, SD; son-in-law Ron Frame of Pierre, SD; children Patricia (Mark) Hanrahan of Milesville, SD; Beverly (Randy) Wilson of Pierre, SD; Jeffery (Mary) Johnson of Canton, SD; Douglas (Carol) Johnson of Burke, SD; and Sarah (Alan) Birney of Onida, SD; fifteen grandchildren—Justin Johnson of Burke; Adrie (Ryan) Mullinix of Sioux Falls, SD; Kalie Hanrahan of Rapid City, SD; Chad (Kathy) Hanrahan of Milesville, SD; Tracie (Jeff) Ritz of LeMars, IA; Christina Wilson of Pierre, SD; Danielle Wilson of Rapid City, SD; Makayla (Cade) Kjerstad of Philip, SD; Miranda (Brian) Smith of Newport News, VA; Ashley (Josh) Jochim of Flasher, ND; Samantha (Matt) Rozeboom of Inwood, IA; Andrew Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD; Malorie Johnson of Burke, SD; Caitlin Birney of Onida, SD; and Berkley Birney of Onida, SD; sixteen great-grandchildren with another two greats expected soon.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harold Johnson; son David Johnson; daughter Laura Dianne Frame; sisters: Ellen (John) Greer and Erma (Clyde) Tuttle; brother Wesley (Lena) Nelson; and all of Harold’s siblings and spouses: Leslie Johnson, Almon (Floy) Johnson, George (Vyrle) Johnson, Millie (John) Osnes, Irene (Pat) Pine, Luella (Walt) Frey, Marjorie (Calvin) Swift, and Robert Johnson.