"I am struggling coming up with words on how much Mark meant to my family...We are fortunate to be able to call him one of our best friends for the last 25 years. Times like this without a strong faith days and nights would be very challenging. Wonda you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss him dearly! God Bless! Kevin, Mindi, Toni, Taylor and Trey Boyle"
In loving memory of
Mark A. Johnson
April 15, 1959 - September 5, 2013
Mark Allan Johnson was born April 15, 1959, the son of Allan and Patricia Robbins Johnson. He passed away at age 54, on Thursday, September 5, 2013, in rural Denison, Iowa.
Mark was born in Denison, Iowa, and baptized in Christ as an infant; later he was confirmed in the Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Church, Denison. Graduating from the Denison Community School, he was involved in football and FFA. He continued his higher education at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and graduated from Iowa State University. His love of FFA led him to become a vocational agriculture instructor at the Manning and IKM Community Schools. He also worked the family farm, had a commodities business, and was employed at Farmland Foods and Johnson Insurance.
He was united in marriage to Wanda Bohlmann at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison and together the couple raised three children: Heather, Aaron, and Nathan. At this time, he began employment at Bohlmann, Inc. where, over the years, he rose to the position of general manager.
Mark was a member of Zion Lutheran and loved his church. Over the years, he served in various leadership capacities: on the Board of Trustees, Board of Elders, and Board of Education. He also ushered, taught high school Bible Class and served as congregational president. One of Mark’s strongly-held convictions was to give back to the Denison Community he loved so much. This led to community service. He was active in the Denison Booster Club and served in both the Crawford County Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce. Mark was also a member of Denison 20/20. As a former educator, he knew the importance of a strong community school system and was a big supporter of area education. He was a Denison School Board member for the past 17 years and was presently on the board at the time of his death.
In his leisure time, Mark enjoyed various outdoor activities, spending time at the lake and Florida homes, traveling with family, as well as cheering on the Denison Monarchs and Iowa State Cyclones. Mark always had projects galore and was always lending a helping hand. But it was his role as husband, dad and papa that brought him the most happiness and joy.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda; three children: Heather Langenfeld and her husband Chad, and Aaron Johnson, all of Denison; and Nathan Johnson and his wife Emily, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; his mother Patricia DeMey of Denison; one brother Chris Johnson and his wife Brenda, of Arcadia; his parents-in-law Orville and Clare Bohlmann; and two brothers-in-law: Blaine Bohlmann and his wife Bonnie, and Kent Bohlmann, all of Denison. Also surviving are eight grandchildren who were the light of his life: Jaden, Kane, Kira and Nash Langenfeld, and Autumn, Presley, Gracelynn and Dawson Johnson; along with loving relatives, valued employees, and countless friends. Mark was preceded in death by his father.
Tributes
"Lit a candle in memory of Mark A. Johnson"
"Mark you will be missed so much. You always had a smile and a greeting every morning when you came to Pronto. God took a good man home. May he bless your family."
"To Wanda and family--My deepest sympathy at the loss of Mark. He was a very kind and fun loving person. I have many fond memories of him, especially, during the 1994 baseball games. Prayers and thoughts from Tricia and David too.
Love to all,"
"im gracelynn his grand kid im gonna go on my 10 year birthday trip!! except it wont be the same with papa mark not their! but im still gonna have fun with my gramma wanda!"
"Thinking of you all during this time..I have fond memories of Ed and Mark teaching Sunday school and making it a fun time. I'm so sorry to hear the news and will keep you in our prayers. -Camille(Miller) Shipley"
"I am so sorry Wanda & Family he was such a good guy I don't ever remember seeing him without that smile god Bless you all Linda McCoid"
"To Wanda and Family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Mark was a great man. He will be greatly missed. Thinking of you. If you ever need anything let me know. God Bless. Devlun Whiteing"
"My heart-felt sympathies to your family. Mark was a big man with a big heart and a big smile that was impossible to forget. 25 years after I graduated and left his classroom, memories of him remain vivid. My favorite photo from high school is of Mark and Brad Benton in grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts during homecoming week. As the years passed and I was fortunate enough to meet him again, Mark's smile was always welcoming. He will be greatly missed!"
"Our deepest sympathy to all of you in the loss of Mark. He truely was a gentle giant, always a smile on his face. Heaven got a good man. May you find comfort and peace knowing he was loved by many. Donovan and Sue Grau"
"Wanda I am so sorry to hear about Mark. My prayers are with you and the "kids" and grand kids. He was a hit with me, he always had a smile and made everyone feel good. I am so glad he came into your life and wish he could have; " Stayed Just A Little Longer" Love you. Aunt Max"
"We are sorry to hear of Mark's passing. Mark never failed to make you smile or tease you in some way. He did the same thing in college. He was one of those people with quick wit and a kind heart. He will be missed by all who has the good fortune to have known him. To the family, you are in our thoughts. Mark will never be gone from you. He will be with you everyday of your lives. Dan and Joanie Houston"
"I'm very sad to hear that a former classmate of mine has past. My prayers are with his wife and family."
"We were so saddened to hear about Mark. It seems like just yesterday that Wanda and Mark were married. Our prayers and thoughts are with Wanda and her family during this most difficult time."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Wanda and family! We feel so blessed to have gotten to share so many great times with him! He will be truly missed by so many! Jim & Jerri Muhlbauer & family 1"
"We were so saddened to hear of Mark's death. We are sending our most sincere sympathy to his wife and family. Husker Harvest Days staff"
"Mark joined Zion Lutheran after he and Wanda were married. From the start, he jumped in, serving on many boards including Education, Trustees and Elders. He also balanced his church service with community service, not to mention immersing himself at Bohlmann, Inc. I remember he & Ed Fink taught the high school Bible class back in the late 80's when our girls attended. There was nothing he was afraid of doing! For awhile, he joined choir along with Wanda and was always an enthusiastic singer! Last week I happened to be filing last year's music away; when I slid "Just As I Am" into its place, I noticed a notation on the "Just Awhile Longer" anthem file: "Mark Johnson wants this sung at his funeral when the time comes." Indeed, choir will be honored to fufill that request. It's an energetic spiritual, much like Mark himself. . . . "Just awhile longer, till we're up yonder. Oh, what a wonder when we'll be with Him. Always look upward, never look downward Only look heavenward till we see him. "Maybe some morning, maybe some evening, Oh, what a meeting when we'll be with Him! Patiently waiting, anticipating; Oh, what a longing just to see Him! "The One who came to save me. I know He'll be there, His face I will see., and He'll be there to walk by my side. For we'll be together, in Him we'll abide. "Just awhile longer, till we're up yonder. Oh, what a wonder when we'll be with Him. Always look upward, never look downward Only look heavenward till we see him." Awhile back I read this on another memorial site and I think it's most fitting for Mark: "When Mark met Jesus, do you suppose he hugged Him? Or did he shake His hand first and then hug Him??" Renee & Butch Miller"