Memorial and Obituary: William N. M. JOHNSON (1900-1994)

Memorial & Obituary (14 Feb 1994). William N. M. JOHNSON. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

A SERVICE OF PRAISE TO GOD
for the life of William N. M. Johnson

William N. M. Johnson, the son of Gustave Johnson and his wife Henrietta Sander Johnson, was born on the family farm in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, on April 28, 1900. He was baptized at Glenwood Lutheran Church, and as a teen-ager he confirmed his Christian faith in that same church.

Bill attended the country school in Glenwood Township and he was a 1918 graduate of Valders Business College in Decorah.

Immediately upon graduation he started working for the Winneshiek County Bank. Bill was employed by the bank for fourteen years and he became the bank’s Cashier. In 1932 together with Ray Algyer, he founded the A & J Agency. It was the beginning of a long relationship with the company of which he became President. He sold his last remaining interest in the Agency on January 1st of this year.

Bill had an affinity for long relationships. On September 19, 1931, he was united in marriage with Mabel C. McCauley at the St. Benedict’s rectory. Mabel died last December after they had celebrated their 62nd anniversary.

Besides his membership at First Lutheran Church, Bill was active in his community. He served on the Board of Smith Memorial Hospital for many years and was their treasurer. He was a supporter of the Aase Haugen Home and he helped with fund drives for Luther College. He became the President of the Decorah Savings and Loan Association, and was elected a director of the Iowa Savings and Loan League in 1966.

Bill and Mabel enjoyed their home at 704 W. Water Street, and they enjoyed the winters they were able to spend in Florida, until the weaknesses of age made those long trips impossible. Bill died at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital on February 11, 1994, at the age of 93 years, 9 months, and 13 days. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel; by his parents; and by all eight of his sisters and brothers.

He is survived by his many nieces and nephews.

God bless his memory among us.