Clear, 29° F
(Mar. 10, 2007)
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 15, at First United Methodist Church, for LaVern E. Johnson, of Powell, who died Saturday, March 10, at West Park Hospital, after a long battle with cancer. He was 77.
He was born Oct. 5, 1929, in Central City, Nebr., to Viola (Christiansen) and Albert E. Johnson. He moved to Powell with his parents at age 5 when they purchased a homestead. He attended high school in Powell, graduating with the class of 1947. He married Ruth Lovercheck on Dec. 24, 1948, in Red Lodge, Mont., and they began their life together farming on the Willwood. To this union were born four sons. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
LaVern was a "self-employed farmer," and enjoyed spending time with his "grandkids." He was a hunter and a painter.
He is survived by his wife Ruth; sons Mike (Liz), Ben (Jenna), and Gary (Deloris), all of Powell; and Curt (Lynn), of Everywhere, USA; two brothers, Junior (Opal) of Washington, and Kenny (Ann) of Nebraska; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, soon to be 13. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Methodist Church, or charity of choice.
Thompson Funeral Home is helping with arrangements.
