In Memory of Duane Paul Johnson

Duane P. Johnson, age 84, of Ida Grove, IA, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at the Horn Memorial Hospital, of Ida Grove, IA.
          
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 9, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa with Rev. Chad Lierman officiating. Interment will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the Christensen- Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Duane Paul “Punk” Johnson was born on February 7, 1929 in   Battle Creek, Iowa. He was one of five children born to Dewey and Hattie (Hanson) Johnson. Duane was raised on the family farm outside of Battle Creek. While helping on the farm Duane earned the nick name “Punk”, which has stuck with him ever since. As a boy, Duane attended Corwin Township Country School and graduated from Ida Grove High School.

After graduating from high school, Duane met his sweetheart, Patricia D. Hendricks, at a dance at Lakewood Ballroom in Lake View, Iowa. The    couple was married on May 2, 1952 at the Methodist Church in Sac City,    Iowa. The couple made their home on the family farm outside of Battle Creek, where they were blessed with two sons, Darrell, Darwin.                         

Duane took a job with Georgia Pacific Box Company and the family move to Fullerton, California, where the couple was blessed with a daughter, Debra. After making their home in California for seven years, the family      decided to move back to Ida Grove, Iowa, where Duane took a job at Midwest Industries. Duane was a loyal employee for 22 years before retiring.

Duane took great pride in his family, especially his grandchildren. He and Pat would often visit them wherever they lived, even making two trips to Okinawa, Japan. Duane received the name “Gumpaw” from his grandson     Dalton. Duane was so proud of this he had a hat and license plate made that had this treasured name.

Besides spending time with family, Duane enjoyed playing his accordion. Even though he couldn’t read music, he played exceptionally well. He also liked Polka music, fishing, gardening, playing cards (Pinochle),      watching the Atlanta Braves, Nascar, college football, Prices Is Right, and tinkering with his 1961 Case tractor for 51 years.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Patricia Johnson of Ida Grove, Iowa; his children, Darrell (Maggie) Johnson of Holstein, Iowa; Darwin (Carol) Johnson of Arthur, Iowa; and Debra (Daryl) Reeves of Devil’s Elbow, Missouri; 6 grandchildren, Jeromy (Keisha) Johnson; Michael Walker, Allie Walker, Bridget (Josh) Tacket, Dalton Reeves, Dailey (Trent) Wise; 5 great- grandchildren, Seanicee  Johnson, Daysha Johnson, Anessa Johnson, J.T. Tacket, Tori Tacket; brother, Melvin (Juanita) Johnson of Holstein, Iowa; sister, Shirley (Herb) Peterson of McKinleyville, CA; numerous nieces and nephews, and trusted companion Ramsey (Boston Terrier).

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Betty Fairchild, and Arlene Magnussen, and trusted companion Jack (Boston Terrier).