Marion Eldon Johnson

Marion Eldon Johnson

June 21, 1928 - June 28, 2020

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Marion Eldon Johnson was born on June 21, 1928, at Freedom, Neb., to Knowles and Lillian (Bush) Johnson.  He entered his Lord and Savior’s presence Sunday, June 28, 2020, at Great Plains Medical Center at North Platte.

He attended high school at the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, Neb., and graduated in 1946 with a certificate in Normal Training.

Marion taught elementary education in rural schools for a few years before choosing to farm in the Bartley, Neb., area.

In  1946, he married Retha Nutt in Curtis. To this union three children were born:  Eldon Dwayne, Sharon Kay, and Kathy Sue.

In 1953, the Johnson family moved to his current home located southeast of Curtis on the Medicine Creek, where he continued farming until his retirement.

Marion greatly enjoyed music and taught himself and others the guitar. He and Retha shared this interest and enjoyed singing together - Marion playing guitar and Retha the piano.

When  television became popular in the 1950s, there was a great need for TV repairmen.  Marion took a correspondence course and became a licensed technician working in the Curtis area.

To supplement the farm income, Marion also worked at the Curtis Enterprise, the ASCS office, Frontier County Assessor’s Office and sold Pioneer Seed Corn from the late 1960s until his retirement.

Community service included being an active board member for the Farmers Cooperative,  Curtis Telephone Company, Curtis Public Schools,  and other community service committees.

He was a member of the Curtis Berean Bible Church, where he served on the Elder Board and taught Sunday School and helped with VBS and Awana for many years.

Marion enjoyed the young people of the community, attending the many sports activities and school programs for as long as he was able.  One of the great joys of his life after Retha passed away was his volunteer work with Mrs. Ellermeier’s kindergarteners at the Medicine Valley Elementary School until 2019.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Retha, in 1995; daughter, Kathy Cole in 2000; his parents; twin sisters. Elaine Holliday and Lorraine Warner; brother, Jerald; great-granddaughter, Aleighah Daharsh born at rest; and great-grandson, Cade Daharsh born at rest.

Survivors include his son, Eldon (Vickie) Johnson; daughter, Sharon (Dave) Nicklas; son-in-law, Nick Cole; nine grandchildren and spouses;  21 great-grandchildren; as well as many other family members, friends ad neighbors.  

Marion loved his Lord and Savior, his family, his friends, and the Curtis community so dear to his heart.

Visitation will be at Berean Bible Church, 512 Prentiss, Curtis, Neb.,  on Thursday, July 2, 2020, 2 to 7 p.m., with the family present from 5-7 p.m.

Graveside services will be at the Curtis Cemetery, July 3, 2020, at 10 a.m., with Pastor Brian Nicklas officiating.  

Interment will follow in the Curtis Cemetery, Curtis.

Memorials may be given to the Berean Bible Church, 512 Prentiss Curtis, NE 69025.  To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel and Monuments is in charge of the arrangements.