Woody Johnson
November 12, 2011
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Service Details
Woody H. Johnson, 71, of Ankeny, IA went to be with the Lord on November 12, 2011 at Mercy Hospice–Johnston, after a courageous battle against cancer.
Woody was born on June 5, 1940 in Harris, MO to Woodrow Johnson and Rowena (Michael) Johnson. Woody grew up on a farm and graduated from Princeton High School. He worked as a meat cutter for Hy-Vee in Iowa City, IA and Burlington, IA.
Woody married Judith Jeanne Trainer and they moved to Cedar Falls, IA where Woody managed the meat department for a local Hy-Vee. He was a store manager for Hy-Vee stores in Eldora, IA, Albert Lea, MN and Austin, MN.
Woody and Judy moved to Ocala, FL for retirement and resided there 12 years, until moving to Ankeny, IA to live closer to family.
Woody is survived by his wife Judy Johnson; daughter, Jamie (husband Dean) Wheat of Marion, IA; daughter, Shawna (husband Bruce) Miller of Bozeman, MT; son, Chad (wife Tania) Johnson of Columbia, MO; six grandchildren, four great-grandsons; sister, Ann (husband Gary) Reno of Kearney, MO; brother, Ken (wife Joyce) Johnson of Independence, MO; brother, Mike (wife Chita) Johnson of Ankeny, IA; and special dog, Molly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Rowena Johnson.
Woody loved golfing, camping, boating and spending time with family. He was a Baptist and loved the Lord.
Visitation will be at 9:30 am and the service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Grace Church, 4200 E 25th Street, Des Moines, IA; with Reverend Chuck Morris residing. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery 310 N Highway 65 in Trenton, MO.
Memorials may be sent to Grace Church in Des Moines, IA.
Woody will be greatly missed and we look forward to seeing him again in heaven.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Michael Hemry
11/17/2011
Judy and family, I had the privilage to work as a department manager for Woody in austin and have always held his memories in the highest regard.As I reflect it easy to see the influences he made in me.My thoughts of Woody are of Respect and Admiration.While talking with others,similar sentiments are abundant.He will be missed by many. My deepest condolences to you all.
Duane Renchin
11/15/2011
Woody
I was a snot nosed 16 year old kid in search of my very first job. You hired me and I bagged groceries at Hy-Vee in Albert lea. Little did I know but I would end up in retail my whole life. I learned so much from you. You were very fair. You praised when it was deserved and gave me heck when i needed and deserved it. Thanks for giving me that chance. It has had a lot to do with the person I have come to be today. Back then we were all a big family. I know your family is in pain but you are definately in a better place. I am a better man for having known you Woody!
Godspeed
Duane Renchin
Ted & Tom
11/15/2011
Woody was a good golfing buddy for many years. Lots of fun. He will be missed.
Brian and Donna Miller
11/15/2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Chad
11/15/2011
Dad, I have so many wonderful memories of you. Some of my favorites are working side by side with you on our farm home in Albert Lea. Our Family vacations to Rainy Lake in Canada, Our Hunting trips of South Dakota.
You have been my hero throughout my life you have a wonderful heart towards people. I have enjoyed watching you interact with (my kiddos) your grand children whom love you very much. My family has always looked up to you. We are so grateful for the camping trips to Goodys Resort the past 6 years. Those years mean the most to me. We have grown so close during these years
I will always cherish those times we spent together, and I will always love you. Rest in peace Dad, I cant wait until the day we meet again.
Your loving son, Chad
Shawna
11/15/2011
Dad,
As I sit here and think about all the special memories we had together, the first thing that comes to my mind is the love that you had for all your family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Your generosity and love you gave and the time you were able to spend with us always inspired me. It was clear that being with family was the most precious thing to you.
Some of my favorite memories were when you visited us in Montana and we traveled to places you dreamed of seeing. Luke would keep us all giggling as he would entertain us with his singing on those trips. It was such a treat to make those memories with you, your love for Montana was so evident.
Your love for the outdoors rubbed off on all of us kids. I loved my day's when we would go road hunting for pheasants. I would sit on your lap pointing out all the pheasants as we drove down the road talking and laughing together. Rainy Lake will always be a very special place to me. You taught me how to water ski and swim but mostly I love my day's fishing with you.
Dad I will miss you so much but I look forward to the day when I can give you a big hug again. You are my hero and always protected me. Your love will stay with me forever. All you taught me and provided for me I will be forever grateful. God Bless you, Dad.
Rest in peace. I love you, Shawna
Jamie
11/15/2011
Dad,
So many simple, everyday things remind me of you. Some of those are:
Ice Cream Makers - you loved making the family home made ice cream, even in November when it was cold.
Toothpicks - one of your necessities after a meal. You had me get some from the hospital cafeteria and "sneak" up to you even though you knew the nurses didn't want you to have them. You hid them in your Bible and told me to make sure mom let you have one if you needed it.
Horses - I remember your horses, grandad's horses and the time you visited us to ride our horse, Pepe. You rescued me when I was bucked off grandad's horse and again when your horse tried to roll over with me on him, you yelled, "jump off" when I was looking at you with a look of horror on my face.
Lakes - my best memories are of when our family and Uncle Mike's family would drive the long drive to Rainy Lake each summer for vacation. You taught me how to cast and bottom bounce for bass, northern and walleye. I watched you clean the loads of fish we'd catch and then enjoy eating. You also taught me to water ski and I loved sitting in your lap to steer your boat. Even today, my favorite place to be is on a peaceful lake.
I will never forget my last conversation with you and our time of prayer together. You confessed your sins. We thanked God of His promise that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." You said, "I just want to be free". With tears streaming down my cheeks, I said, "Dad, Jesus can set you free". You said, "I know" and peacefully rested.
I love you, dad. Rest in peace. You are free. Love, Jamie
Sandy& Al Memler
11/14/2011
Our thoughts & Prayers are with you.
From a friend
11/14/2011
Chad,
Attached is an email that my Dad sent me. My uncle (Larry) shared a story about hunting with your father. I thought you might like to see it.
Thanks,
Brandon
.......................
Hello All..
I sent this information about Woody to my brother, Larry, in Carson City, Nevada. Larry is Store Director for Wal-Mart at the Southside
Carson City store. Larry and Woody worked for Ron Pearson and then
Roger Howard at Cedar Falls.
Anyway, I thought you'd all enjoy what he replied.
"Wow! Sorry to hear this. I'll never forget when Woody, Roger Howard and I went pheasant hunting in central Iowa. Woody fired one time, but ended up back at the car with 2 pheasants. Said when he shot the first pheasant, another one jumped up between his legs and he simply squeezed his legs together to trap him. This actually happened! We laughed our asses off! Good guy... Larry"
Please pass this on to anyone you think might enjoy it.
Hope you are all well.
Take Care..
Rick Lampkin
Tania Johnson
11/14/2011
Dear Papa, from the first time we met in December 2003 you opened your heart to me and adopted me as your daughter from me that day. You will always be to me the best father anyone can have and the best grandfather to my children, especially Karla who you received as your granddaughter without making any difference, you always agreed with her with everything she wanted, you always took her side and called her my girl. I wont forget what you always said to me and Chad; dont forget that she is just a little girl. For Joshua you will always be a role model. I will make sure that Joshua always remembers you. All the memories down the lake, the home made ice-cream, boating, and we always remember you and Joshua watching Tom and Jerry together. Going to the lake never will be the same.
I will miss you for ever and always. I wont forget the last thing you said to me at the hospital when a nurse who asked you who I am you replied she is one of my sweethearts. I will never forget that. You were like a father to me.
You were a very caring and loving father.
I hope to see you in heaven.
Love you Papa, your daughter Tania