Obituary of Mark Johnson

AURORA – Mark DeWayne Johnson, 75, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, died of lung cancer at 11:40 am on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, 2019, at his newly settled home in Aurora, Colorado. Mark was born on May 30, 1943, in Nashua, Iowa, the first son of Joe Elmer Johnson and Vivian Mae (Ladd) Johnson. He married Nadine (Dee) Denton of Baker City, Oregon, in November of 1964. As a 1960 graduate of Alden High School, Mark enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. His training and service in diesel mechanics for electricity generation on remote radar stations took him to Texas, Labrador, California, and Baker City, Oregon, where he met his bride-to-be, Dee. After being honorably discharged in 1964, he and Dee married and moved to Iowa Falls. Mark went to work at Farmland Foods in 1965. Although he intended the job to be temporary, he stayed and worked on the loading dock until the plant closed in 1987. By working an early shift, he often could stop at Meadow Hills Golf Course on the way home to sharpen his golf skills. He was a constant presence at Meadow Hills, where he played in leagues, served on the board of directors, organized tournaments, and fixed what was broken. As a player he hit three holes-in-one, all at Meadow Hills. Following the close of Farmland Foods, Mark went into business with his father and then for himself, owning and operating a used appliance and small engine repair business on East Rocksylvania Avenue in Iowa Falls. He also took up working as a school bus driver, first driving special needs students, then a regular route. Eventually, he took on more of the mechanic work at the Iowa Falls bus barn and worked as the district transportation director. In semi-retirement, he continued to work for Iowa Falls Community Schools as the caretaker of the athletic fields. In retirement, Mark and Dee spent their winters in Arizona to escape the Iowa cold and to allow for more golf. During their travels, they would always stop in Colorado to see their children, who both live and work in the Denver area. Following his diagnosis, Mark’s final wish was to move his wife to Colorado to be nearer her children and grandchild. Mark and Dee completed the move and brought the family back together in April of 2019. Mark was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond Claude Johnson; and two sisters, Sandra Kay Krumviede and Melba Rene Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 54 years; his children, Dulcey and Raymond; and his grandson, Huston. He is also survived by six siblings: Avis Johnson, of Iowa Falls; Dallas Johnson, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Marlene Jackson, of Iowa Falls; Basil Johnson, of Allison, Iowa; Brenda Johnson, of Rochester, Minnesota; and Lori Johnson, of Iowa Falls. The family appreciate all the support, goodbyes, and moving help from many friends and family, and ask that condolences be sent to Dee at 13781 E Richthofen Cir Apt P102, Aurora, CO 80011.