Donald E. Johnson

Donald Eugene Johnson, age 96, of Altoona, Iowa since 1979. He was reunited with the love of his life on Friday, July 3, 2026. His final days were spent under the loving care of Taylor House Hospice, Des Moines, Iowa.

Don was born on July 31, 1929, to Ernest and Thelma (Lust) Johnson. Don graduated from Monroe High School in 1947 and started to work for Maytag Company. He worked there until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in January of 1951.

He did his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi at Keesler Air Force Base. The remainder of his enlistment was as a purchasing agent in Bellevue, Michigan. He had earned the rank of sergeant at the time of his honorable discharge.

After his service, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and his Master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. He worked for the Ford Motor Company for over 20 years in the Tractor Division as a Budget Analyst and in Marketing. He then went on to own Des Moines Ford Tractor for eight years. Don ended his working career as an accountant for Skinner Law Office for ten years, where his wife, Maribel worked as a secretary.

He served his community as a Mason, later becoming a Shriner. He enjoyed driving children and their families to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Minnesota. He was also a member of various Elks Lodges in the communities he lived in over the years.

Don married his first wife, Yvonne Harward in 1957. They had three children: Mike, Stephanie, and John. In 1989, Don met Maribel Edith Caquelin Wininger. Six months later on December 29, 1989, they were married. They enjoyed 35 years together until her death on April 17, 2024.

Don loved his family dearly saying, “I have such a good family.” He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John Johnson; wife, Mari; and his sister, Judy (Lloyd) Herwehe. He is survived by his brother, Delmar Johnson; his children, Michael (Kris) Johnson and Stephanie Johnson; grandchildren, Alyssa, Amanda, and Haylee; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was a man of high moral character and learned in this life how to love. “Faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Don and Mari will be interred at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Any memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners Children’s Hospital, or any education scholarship fund of your choosing.

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