Rodney Johnson

Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Church of Christ with Max Kelley officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Rodney was born June 15, 1938 in Alpena, South Dakota to Viola May Shreffler. He made his home with his mother and step father, Donald Jassman. He attended country school, high school in Pierre and later obtained his GED. As a young child, he was raised in Blunt on a farm but when he was sixteen, the family moved to Oregon. He returned to South Dakota for a short time before returning to Oregon. While in Oregon, he worked at the Blue Mountain College and then joined the Navy from 1963 to 1965. White serving aboard the U.S.S. St. Paul, he had the pleasure of meeting and shaking hands with John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Patricia Neal while they were filming the movie, “In Harms Way.” In 1973, he joined the National Guard, retiring in 1989 due to a medical discharge. He left the National Guard with the ranking of Sargeant.

In 1991, Rod returned to Pierre and was reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Mary Schmidt. On June 13, 1992, Rod and Mary were united in marriage at the Church of Christ in Pierre. In December of 2001, he and Mary were baptized at the Church of Christ in Pierre; together they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Throughout his life, he worked for various farmers but in 1997, he retired from working due to medical reasons.

Rod belonged to the Church of Christ, American Legion and was a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans.

In 2003, Rod and Mary enjoyed a month long trip to Oregon. Rod always enjoyed the little things about life. He will always be remembered for riding around Highmore in his electric chair, waving to all with a smile on his face.

Grateful to have shared in his life is his wife, Mary of Highmore; brother, Russell Johnson of Wapato, WA; step children: David Schmidt of Highmore, Steve Schmidt of Lakewood, CO, Diane (Mike) Peterson of Watertown, and Gary (Jackie) Schmidt of Wichita, KS; three step-grandchildren: Logan, Alex and Trinity Peterson; five nieces: Ann, Faun, Rita, Joann and Tammy; and two nephews: Duane and Freddy.

Rod was preceded in death by his mother; stepfather; sister; brother-in-law; sister-in-law; and a niece, Penny.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Rodney's arrangements.

MINISTER
Max Kelley

ORGANIST
Elaine Ashdown

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
"Because He Lives"
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
"In the Garden"
"Precious Memories"

USHERS
Craig Fausett
Les Ashdown

GUESTBOOK
Peggy Fausett

FLOWERBEARER
RoAnn Stagg

INURNMENT
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota