Edward Johnson, Huron

Edward Russell Johnson, 86, Huron, died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at his home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Welter Funeral Home, Huron, with Military Rites by the Huron Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home or one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

He was born April 10, 1923, to Harry and Lillian (Kutil) Johnson in Woonsocket. He attended Nielson Country School and Woonsocket High School.

In 1942, he married Beulah Tollefson in Pipestone, Minn.

He farmed for 15 years and served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1947, during World War II. He owned Ed and Clem’s Shop in Artesian where he fixed cars, trucks, tractors and welded.

On Nov. 14, 1980, he married Joyce (Brooks) Bonnes in Huron.

He owned and operated Johnson Construction with his son and father. He and his son spent many summers building chalets on Edelweiss Mountain in the Black Hills.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Vicky Zellmer and husband Joe, Mitchell; a sister, Dorothy Clites and husband Dale, Stickney; two step-daughters: Kris Bonnes, Huron; and Mary Wentland and husband Larry, Nampa, Idaho; two step-sons: Michael Bonnes, Huron; and Jerald Bonnes and wife Edna of Tacoma, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jim Johnson, Hill City; a sister, Betty Lee, Falls Church, Va.; and one infant grandson.

Tags: edward johnson, outdoors, huron