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Richard “Dick” Verne Johnson, spirited, competitive, big-hearted, and silver tongued, passed into eternal life on Nov. 9, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Friends and family are invited to join in a Celebration of Life Mass on Friday, Nov. 25, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. A luncheon will be held following the mass in the St. Joseph Parish Center from 12-1 p.m. Visitation and fellowship will continue from 1-3 p.m. in the Parish Center. Burial will be held in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery following the visitation at 3 p.m. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements.
Dick was known for many things over his 88 years; some we can include here and some best left for Poker Night. He did ordinary things that made for an extraordinary life.
Dick had two life-long love affairs: his wife, Patricia, of 67 years with whom he had five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren…and sports.
Dick was a natural athlete, playing football, basketball, baseball and track at Scranton High School in Scranton, where he graduated in 1952. If there was a sporting event going on, he had a hand in it somewhere, whether that was serving as a high school football official and basketball referee or keeping stats or the clock at St. Mary’s basketball games and Buena Vista University football games. Dick was a great golfer and played up until his death. If he wasn’t playing sports, he was watching sports, especially his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes football team while ‘coaching’ from his rocker. His spirited voice could also be heard from the stands as he cheered on his children and grandchildren at their events.
Dick’s competitive nature spilled over into nearly every aspect of his life, especially when playing cards where he could often be heard saying, “This hand is sh*t!” only to win every time. He enjoyed hunting with family and was a sharpshooter, often taking only five shells and landing three targets. He also loved sharing hunting tips: “It’s not hard. Just shoot it!”
If a helping hand was needed, Dick had four to give and was very involved in his community. He was in the Naval Reserve, served as a volunteer firefighter for 10 years in Storm Lake, was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus serving as the Grand Knight where he helped in the building of the Storm Lake KC Hall, was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and served as a leader for a Search youth group. No request was too extreme or bizarre - he even lent a hand in picking up a body for his friend in the funeral home business. And, when some
high school seniors unwittingly recruited him to be their driver for prom, he diligently accepted - and surprised them by showing up driving an ambulance.
Dick never knew a stranger. He also rarely used their real names. If he couldn’t remember or pronounce a name, he just provided a new one. Some favorites were ‘nosepicker,’ ‘turkey’ or ‘festus.’ He ran the PA system at his grandson’s high school baseball games and gave each player their own nickname, making it interesting to keep stats. Despite this, his joyful spirit made him incredibly likeable. He had a knack for making people feel comfortable, greeting them with his million-watt smile, arms wide open and big belly laugh.
His silver-tongued nature helped him excel at sales (and cards) at the
Vernon Company for over 50 years where he sold ‘pens and pencils’ and retired in 2020. Dick rejected technology like cell phones because ‘who needs one when you’re dropping in?’ Need directions? No problem. Just keep driving around until you get where you’re going.
Dick was a teacher at heart, always sharing pearls of wisdom with his children and grandchildren like how to check the oil in the car, how to bait a hook, how to swing a golf club, and just how to be kind. A deep man of faith, he said to live for God first, spouse second and family third. His wisdom often attracted young people to the house where he served as a father figure to them.
He is survived by his loving wife, Pat of Storm Lake; daughter Terry (Jim) Foell of Storm Lake; son Kelly (Karyn) Johnson of Hamlin, N.Y.; daughter Angie (Andy) Mumma of Adel; daughter Sara (Greg) Payne of Clive; and daughter-in-law Kristin Johnson of Evergreen, Colo.; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Ruth (Mathias) Johnson; brother Beryl; sister Genevieve; brother Dale; son Chad; and great granddaughters, Madison and Hayley Foell.
In lieu of flowers, Dick would think it’s appropriate to do an unexpected act of kindness in his name, just be sure to use a nickname. Memorial contributions may be sent to the family for a fund designated to a yet-to-be-determined charity. To share a memory of Dick or a condolence to his family, please visit
https://www.fratzkejensen.com/obituaries/Richard-Johnson-192/#!/TributeWall.
