KENNETH JOHNSON

Kenneth Francis Johnson passed away on May 25, 2023 surrounded by his family at the Dougherty Hospice House after a brief illness and broken heart. Kenneth's funeral will be Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m. at Miller Funeral Home Southside Chapel (7400 S. Minnesota Ave. Sioux Falls). The family will be present to greet friends for a public visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m., also at the funeral home. The family would like to extend an invitation to join them for a time of sharing and fellowship at Lakota Hall (46954 272nd St. Tea) directly following the visitation.

Kenneth was born on July 4, 1943 in Colorado Springs, CO to Gordon F and Clara Mae (Reasoner) Johnson, the second of seven children. He graduated from Tripp High School in 1961. Lake Andes on February 4, 1978.

Kenneth was married to Connie Pietz from July 29, 1962 until 1973. From this union, Wayne and Jolynn were born. They made their home in Lake Andes where Ken worked as a machinist and managed the auto supply store.

After leaving the auto supply store, he opened Ken’s Repair, which he memories were spent in Plankinton at Gordy’s Campground with family. His knowledge of motor vehicles was self-taught and he was always willing to share his mechanical wisdom with anyone who had a problem or a question.

Ken always put everyone else and their needs above his own. He instilled many valuable lessons to everyone he ever met; unconditional love, non-judgmental, always available with a listening ear, no limits to his giving and caring which was most evident through his generosity of free nights and meals at Gordy’s where the campground motto was “come as strangers and leave as friends”. He enjoyed his campfires with a cold beer with the company of his friends and family. Something we all looked forward to was his amazing Christmas fudge. He was also the hand mixer behind Nancy’s famous cinnamon rolls.

Those left to cherish his memory are, his son Wayne (Mary) Johnson, daughters: Jolynn (Stewart) Hanson and Tamara (Brian) Ledeboer. Grandchildren; Crystal (Skip) Hanson, Jordan (Emily) Hanson, Marissa (Jordan) Schanzenbach, Aaron (Katy) Johnson, Cassandra (Daniel) Hankle, Melissa (Nick) Dalseide, and Zach Ledeboer. Great-grandchildren; Ava and Clayton Buysman, Jovie Hanson, Jaden, Addison and Emery Hankle, Reese and Kolby Dalseide. Siblings: Larry (Doris) Johnson, Gary (Judy) Johnson, Randy (Lila) Johnson, Judy Johnson, Chuck Johnson, Rhonda Johnson and Joan Niles. In-Laws; Judy Olson, Connie (John) Jacoby, Jim (Billie) Schultz, Pat (Sheryl) Schultz and Jeff (Donna) Schultz. Numerous nieces and nephews. Special friends Abe and Teresa Khoroosi and their children. A host of additional family, friends and neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy (April 25, 2023), parents; Gordon Johnson and Clara DeJong. Grandparents; Axel and Esther Johnson and Casper Reasoner and Leta Cotton, in-laws; Bob and Donna Schultz, brother Steven Johnson, brother-inlaw DeDe Niles along with two great-granddaughters Keagen and Berkley Dalseide.