88
Hartford, SD
January 15, 2021
Warren was the second child born to Glen and Myrtle Johnson on September 2, 1932, in Strandburg. He was baptized and confirmed at Tabor Lutheran Church and later graduated from Strandburg High School.
Warren met the love of his life, Shirley, when they were teenagers. Although they attended rival schools, Warren caught Shirley’s eye while playing on Strandburg’s boys’ basketball team, who made it all the way to the State Tournament in 1949 for the first and last time in school history. After graduating, Warren and Shirley were married on September 19, 1952, in Goodwin and were later blessed with six children – Steve, Shar, Tim, Bruce, Doug and Barb. Throughout their 68 year marriage, Warren and Shirley lived briefly in Minnesota, spent 22 years in Missouri, but resided in the Sioux Falls area for most of their married life.
In his early twenties, Warren served as a transportation specialist for the Army and has been an active member of the American Legion Post 118 since his service completed in 1961. After serving his country, Warren worked as an over-the-road truck driver for more than 40 years. His career took him all over the country and allowed him to see nearly every state in the continental United States before retiring in 1997.
Although Warren liked travelling for work, he loved being with his family above all else. Warren’s favorite family activity was camping, which they did every summer. Warren was an excellent cook and was known for his delicious biscuits and gravy, which he often made for the whole family. Beyond cooking and camping, Warren enjoyed watching baseball (even though he was a Twins fan), cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, tinkering in the garage, watching Westerns, hunting, cruising around Hartford in his golf cart, and visiting with anyone and everyone. What Warren loved more than anything else, though, was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
If you knew Warren, you loved him. His infectious grin and the mischievous twinkle in his eye drew you in, and his outgoing personality and kind soul made you want to stay and talk to him for hours – he truly was a friend to all. Warren’s big personality and even bigger heart made him the loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather that he was. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Shirley, Hartford; children Steve (Pam) Johnson, Livingston, Mont., Sharlene Johnson, Brookings, Tim Johnson, Hartford, Bruce Johnson, Lexington, N.C., Doug Johnson, Bellgrade, Mont., Barb (Jerry) Putnam, Lexington, N.C.; sisters Joyce (Steve) Holzhey, Wash., MaryAnn (Don) Hudgins, Texas; brother Elden “Paul” (Kathy) Johnson, San Angela, Texas; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Warren is reunited in death with his parents, Glen and Myrtle, sister, Marlyn, and daughter-in-law, Lori.
A celebration of Warren’s life was held January 22 at the Miller Westside Chapel, 6200 West 41st Street.
Arrangements provided by Miller Funeral Home.