Norman Sr. Johnson

Norman Hartley Johnson, Sr., 82 yrs., of Lehigh, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 14, 2010, after a long illness with Parkinson's.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at Carson - Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton. Pastor Richard Laird will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family present. Norman's wishes were to be cremated with private burial services at North Lawn Cemetery and West Lawn Cemetery later with family members.

Norman Hartley Johnson, son of Farrel and Sylvia (Johnson) Johnson was born on March 30, 1927, in Fort Dodge. He attended Kindergarten at Butler School and went on to attend school at Longville, Minnesota, Dallas Center, and Minburn, Iowa. In March, 1945, he joined the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. La Salle in the North Pacific and was honorably discharged in May, 1946, with rank of Seaman First Class, U.S.N.R. V6.

Norman was employed at the U.S. Gypsum Company for 16 years and later worked at the Land O' Lakes Plant for 23 years retiring in 1989. In January, 1950, he was united in marriage to Vernabelle Peterson and established their home in Fort Dodge, moving to Burnside in 1973. She passed away in 1990. To this union, six children were born. In 1991, Norman was united in marriage to Alice Fibiker and resided in Burnside until moving to Lehigh in 1997.

Norman enjoyed playing guitar and vocalizing. He organized a country western group, The Travelers, and through the years joined other musicians and entertained at many area Nursing Homes, Community and church events, programs and functions. He and his wife, Alice, were known as "The Johnson Duo" and participated in the Gospel Jams at the Otho/Kalo Community Church and also Friendship Haven. He participated in the Har-lan Hot Shots Kitchen Band from Harcourt. He enjoyed cooking, watching old classic western movies and being with family and friends. Norman had a remarkable memory and was able to sing lyrics of songs and hymns popular many years ago.

Norman is a member of the Christian Church, Lehigh, Teamsters Union Local 650, and the Dayton Dreamers Senior Club and was a Board Member.

Norman is survived by his wife, Alice; six children: Carol (Ken) Wawrzyniak, Roseville, Michigan; Norman Jr., Sparta, Wisconsin; Ellen (Fred) McGirk, St. Peters, Missouri; Dan, Roseville, Michigan; Paula, Urbandale, Iowa; and Tim (Oanh), St. Charles, Missouri. Also surviving him are 7 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by stepchildren, Diane (Patrick) McCalmont, Florence, Oregon; stepson, David Fibiker, Humboldt, Iowa; 2 step grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren of Oregon. A sister, Beverly May, Garland, Texas; a brother Elwood (Judy) Schmieder, Fort Dodge, and many nieces and nephews also survive him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vernabelle, his parents, two brothers and a sister, and a daughter-in-law, Linda Johnson.

He will be sadly missed by all of his friends, neighbors, and relatives.

Memorials may be directed to the discretion of the family.