Alfred Joseph Johnson
February 5, 1943 – November 30, 2011
Alfred J. Johnson, 68, of Harrisburg, SD, died Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at home after a short battle with cancer.
Visitation will begin at 3 pm, Friday, December 2, 2011 with family present from 5pm to 7 pm at Heartland Funeral Home of Brandon, SD. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, December 3, at Prairie Hills Covenant Church of Sioux Falls, SD, Pastor Andrew Burnett officiating. Another visitation will be held 2 pm until 5 pm, Sunday, December 4, at the Ralph Wittich Funeral Home in Muscatine, IA. Interment will be 11am Monday, December 5, at the New Boston Cemetery, New Boston, IL.
Alfred Joseph Johnson was born on February 5, 1943, to Paul and Irene (Saunders) Johnson, in Las Angles, CA. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Muscatine, IA where Al went to school and grew up with his 12 siblings. He met his high school sweetheart, Roberta A. Bailey, in study hall and they were married on April 6, 1962. They couple moved to Illinois where Al went to college and started their family. Al worked in the home construction business. Eventually they moved back to Muscatine where Al developed a sub division called Rolling Acres. He preformed different occupations including excavating and building spec. homes. He then worked for Hon Manufacturing and the Corp. of Engineers in the tool and die manufacturing trade. In 1985, Al and Roberta moved to Hutchinson, MN to work as the Tool and Die Manager for Hutchinson Technology and then on to the plant in Sioux Falls in 1988. While in Sioux Falls, Al continued his education and received a management degree. He eventually became at instructor for National College to train Tool and Die apprentices because it was difficult to find local candidates for employment.
Al had many hobbies. He loved to hunt and fish and was forever going fishing up until the very end. Al loved a challenge and his was to fly. In 1986, Al got his private operators pilot license and bought his first of three planes. His idea of fun was a cold, clear day flying.
Al was a member of Prairie Hills Covenant Church and a Senior Member and Chairman of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Alfred is survived by his wife, Roberta, his children; JoAnn (James) Vanderburg, Valley Springs, SD, and Paul Johnson, Jackson, KY, 9 grandchildren; Paul Vanderburg, Alicia Vanderburg, Joel Vanderburg, Renee Gadbois, Rebecka Reatherford, Andrea Buchanan, Bryan Buchanan, Jacob Springman, and Isaiah Johnson, 5 great-grandchildren; Tate, Hadley, Olivia, Trinley, and Owen, 3 brothers; Tom (Korlie) Johnson, Muscatine, IA, Don (Leslie) Johnson, Lake of the Ozarks, MO, and Dick Johnson, Muscatine, IA, and 3 sisters; Lois (Frank) Horn, Des Moines, IA, Jackie Brase, Muscatine, IA, and Jennifer Johnson, Muscatine, IA.
Alfred was preceded in death by one son; Stephen Johnson, one grand-daughter; Sara Johnson, his parents, and six brothers; Lyle Rethford, Paul Rethford, Ronald Houseman, Raymond Johnson, Marvin Johnson, and Robert Johnson.
Our sympathy goes out to you. May the God of Peace see you through these days and the days ahead. Love and Prayers, Dave and Bev Heggen
Roberta and family, so very sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed Al’s great sense of humor. I also appreciated the times I flew in the same plane with him on some of our trips to Hutchinson. I was always nervous when I had to fly in those small planes but always felt better with Al explaining things to me. It paid off having him on board one time when our pilot became very ill and Al, sitting in the co-pilot seat, took over and landed us safely. I hope and pray that God will give you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Roberta & JoAnn, you have our deep syumpathy’s. This was a very good man & we know he loved you dearly. God Hold Roberta & JoAnn close to you in this time of mourning.
So sorry to hear another former employee of HTI has passed.
Roberta and family,
Sending hugs and love to all of you at this sad time. We’re so sorry that you didn’t get more time with Al. We know you’ve all suffered in these past few weeks through his illness. We pray you’ll be comforted today and in the days ahead as you grieve and adjust. We aren’t able to be there to visit with you tonight, but I hope to be able to come and celebrate his life with you at the service tomorrow. Praying for strength, wisdom, peace and rest for all of you!
With love,
Lisa Ross and family
Al and I went hunting a couple of times and we had a good time. He was funny. He will be missed.
Dad is gone now 6 years the 30th of this month.
It was a important thing to me is that he found me “honoring” and gave me his blessing the last day we saw each other.
I learned to do many things from dad. Build, wire, plumb, fix, weld, operate heavy equipment, work ethic but most of all I remember one thing he told me: “be careful what you put into writing.” and because of that line of wisdom, there is much that will not be written.