November 20, 1947 ~ October 11, 2025
Gregory “Greg” M. Johnson, 77, Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Brandon, SD, died Saturday, October 11, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family.
Join Greg’s family for a Celebration of Life Open House from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Heartland Funeral Home, in Brandon, SD. A Time of Sharing will be held at 6:00 p.m. To honor Greg’s memory, please wear any fine jewelry that you may have acquired from Greg, especially the pieces he custom made.
Gregory “Greg” Mark Johnson was born on November 20, 1947, to Leland and Marion (Jungk) Johnson in Sioux Falls, SD. In ‘58, the family moved to Brandon where Greg received his education. Greg married Gladys De Groot on May 22, 1971; to this union, daughter Joy and son Mark were born.
Greg’s 56-year career in the fine jewelry industry began at Zales Jewelers in the fall of 1969, while shopping for an engagement ring for Gladys. At Zales, Greg rose to regional manager with 18 stores throughout the Midwest. In ’82, Greg owned and operated Artcarved Jewelry, his first store, in Sioux Falls. In ‘87, Greg founded Johnson Jewelers in Brookings, SD; stores in Ames, IA and Madison, SD followed. Greg possessed a keen eye for fine diamonds and precious metals, and he knew his industry. Greg loved to guide his clients to find the perfect engagement ring, anniversary band, or other heirloom pieces to celebrate and memorialize life’s most important milestones and moments. Greg felt privileged to be a part of helping couples select their wedding rings. Greg’s bridal customers frequently became friends who invited him to their social events and weddings.
Greg was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing trips with neighbors and friends to Lake Athapapuskow in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Greg’s passion for pheasant hunting was nurtured by his favorite great uncle Rudy Offt, who took him and brother Matt hunting every fall when they were children. Greg looked forward to and never missed a year of pheasant hunting at a farm in Howard, SD. Greg was happiest wearing blaze orange with a shotgun in hand. We take comfort knowing Greg is walking the fields in heaven with his dogs Pal, Queenie, and Bojangles.
Family traditions and holidays were very important to Greg, especially Christmas. Greg artfully trimmed his stores for the holidays and his flare for decorating carried over to his home with an abundance of C-9 Christmas lights punctuating every pitch of the roof and weaved throughout the shrubs.
Greg lovingly cared for any critter that visited or called his yard home. He fed birds of all types, squirrels, rabbits, and deer. Greg was especially proud of a rare albino robin that nested in his apple trees for many years. Weekly errands included a stop at the grain elevator to pick up bags of cracked corn for the deer.
Left to cherish Greg’s memory are his wife, Sandy; daughter, Joy Johnson, Esq. (Reed Dill, D.D.S.), Zimmerman, MN; son, Mark (Margaret) Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Claire, Hannah and Ava Johnson; stepchildren, Hannah Herman, Minneapolis, MN, and Eugene Nelms, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; brother, Gary (Marlene) Matthew Johnson, Scottsdale, AZ; and numerous other family and friends.
Greg’s parents and former wife, Gladys De Groot-Johnson preceded him to eternity.











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