Duane Johnson
September 22, 1925 ~ October 12, 2012
Duane Johnson 87, of Highmore, passed away Friday, October 12, 2012 at Highmore Health, Highmore, SD.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Kori Lehrkamp officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 15, 2012 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.
Duane Norman Johnson was born on September 22, 1925 at Highmore, South Dakota to August and Della (Anderson) Johnson. He attended country school in Illinois Township near his home and graduated from Highmore High School in 1943.
On February 25, 1951 he was married to Katherine “Kitty” Burdick. They made their home on a farm near Holabird for 20 years. They moved to Highmore in 1971 when Duane was elected Register of Deeds where he served for 36 years; retiring in 2006 but continued to work as deputy Register of Deeds for the next four years.
Duane was a member of the United Methodist Church where he served as head usher for many years. He was a member of the Highmore Men’s Prayer Breakfast and later he kept it going, changing it to Community Prayer Breakfast. For over 60 years, he was an active member of the Masonic Lodge and Shrine.
Duane loved the town of Highmore and never desired to live anywhere else. He was proud he knew the past history of its people and was always helping people do their family histories by searching through books at the court house to gather the facts they needed for their genealogies.
Blessed to have shared in Duane’s life is his wife, Kitty of Highmore; brother, Elmer Johnson of Highmore; the Anderson cousins; sisters-in-law: Mavis Burdick of Mobridge, Bernice (Keith) Seitz of Artesian, Carol (Lloyd) Kessel and Pearl Burdick, both of Spearfish; brother-in-law, Bill Burdick of Winner; many nieces and nephews; and the very special ladies in his life he loved very much: Connie Konrad, Myrna Hall, Linda Beaner, Frances Jetty, Joyce Boller, and his special “stolen daughter”, Janna Larson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Della Johnson; parents-in-law, Bill and Marie Burdick; brothers-in-law: Red Burdick of Mobridge, Bruno Burdick of Arlington and Donny Burdick of Spearfish and a nephew, Adam Burdick of Spearfish.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Duane’s arrangements.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Sending many prayers your way during this difficult time! He was a great and very friendly man! My the lord and family help you through this sad time. Many prayers to you and your family.
Dear Kitty,
God bless you. We are so sorry for your loss and we pray God’s peace to surround you. We will continue to pray over the day to come.
In Christ
I would like to offer my deepest condolences and sympathy for the loss of Duane. I was deeply saddened upon hearing of his passing. I will always remember Duane as a kind, calm mannered man who always had a kind word combined with a great smile. I will miss you Duane!
Kitty,
we are so sorry to hear of the loss of Duane-he was a great man and will always be remembered and never forgotten–you are in our thoughts and prayers and we again are so sorry for your loss.
love,
bill and linda whipple
Kitty,
I am so sorry about Duane’s passing. I always enjoyed working with him and how sweet he was to all of us girls at the courthouse. He never forgot a birthday or holiday with a little box of chocolates. We will keep you in our prayers in the days and weeks ahead.
With sympathy,
Carrie, Jim, Carson & Carly
Kitty, We are thinking of you and remembering what a wonderful man Duane was. With our sincere sympathy, Jean and Jenise
May the memories of the laughter and life lived with Duane comfort you when this time of sadness is not as sharp. Our prayers are with you all.
So Sorry to hear about Duane. He was such a nice man. Always helpful and always had a smile and kind word. I will miss seeing and visiting with him.
Kitty,I am so sorry for your loss,Duane will be missed greatly,by Ruth and I,my kids and also my grandchildren,I am sure,you and Highmore,will also,our life was better for him in it,God bless you,Mark,Ruth and family
Duane was one of the nicest persons I ever knew–a true friend to me. I will always cherish his kindness and generosity. Kitty, you are loved and will always be in my prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss Mrs. Johnson. It was always nice to see you & Duane when you came to Prostrollo’s for service.It was a pleasure to talk with you both when you were here. I hope time will help ease your sadness.
Kitty, I am so sorry to hear about Duane,you have my Sympathy and you will be in my prayers and thoughts. The two of you were so nice to Bob and I . I will never forget Duane and the kind words and caring person he was . Just take one day at a time, God is with you always . Phyllis
Kitty, my sincere sympathy goes out to you in the loss of Duane. I have many special memories of the two of you and your devotion to the youth of Highmore and the Methodist Church. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Special blessings, Carrie
Kitty:
We are so saddened by the loss of Duane. We remember many times when we would stop by and visit and Duane would have “goodies” for the girls and when he would see them coming and the would give him hugs, he would beam with pride. It will be hard to not have Duane’s presence in our lives but know that we have another guardian angel looking over all of us. We love you!
Mark, Angela, Heather and Nikki
So sorry to hear about Duane. Sending al our sympathy to you and will keep you in my prayers
Dear, dear Kitty —
I’m saddened to learn of your loss of your beloved spouse of more than 60 years. Your Duane was one of the nicest people ever! Let the love of all those who were touched by his goodness provide you with comfort, and I know the peace of God will surround you, too.
With love,
Barb
Gods blessings, sent with love and many fond memories. Gary Eiesland