Ronald Harland Johnson, Sr.

A graveside service was held for Ronald Johnson, Sr., 82, at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Burial with military honors were conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the Marines National Honors Team. Micah Chvatal played Taps. Ronald Harland Johnson, Sr. was born February 20, 1943, in Gregory, SD. He was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Ron married Louella M. Mohl in 1961, and shortly after entered the Marine Corp, First Battalion Regimental Honor Platoon 104. He trained in San Diego for four months then transferred to El Toro, California for three years. After this time, he went to Okinawa, Japan for 13 months. Ron frequently said, “Arigato.” He was assigned to transfer a US enlisted prisoner back to the states, and this time he stayed in the US and returned to San Diego, having been discharged in December 1965.

His military duty encouraged him to join civil services, so he and his family (wife & two children) moved to Winner, SD, where Lou dispatched and Ron did patrol. He resigned from the police force to head back to California to be a fire fighter, but had an accident and had to change his plans. After his recovery he went to work at Buches in Gregory, SD for a short time before moving to Omaha working at Western Electric.

Two more children were born, and finally the family landed in Spencer in 1971. Ronald worked as chief of police for the Village of Spencer. He did this for many years and had other various jobs. He moved to other places, but always came back to home in Spencer. Ron liked carrying on his duty volunteering in the color guard at funerals, parades, and Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day programs.

Ron passed away February 23, 2025, in Spencer, NE. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Louella; son Ron Jr. and wife, Cindy; daughters Kathy Benson, Rhonda Johnson, and Robin Johnson; grandchildren Corey (Amanda) Benson, Trey (Annie) Johnson, Boyd (Megan) Benson, Sam (Kristen) Johnson, Naomi (Micah) Chvatal, Huntyr (Micki) Petersen, Romyn Petersen; 12 great grandchildren; and two sisters, Sharon (Jerry) Wymer and Sandra (Dennis) Vedral.

Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.