A memorial service for Mervin Johnson was held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the Swea City Community Church, Swea City, Iowa, with Pastor Todd Hartsock officiating. Mervin was laid to rest at Harrison Township Cemetery, Swea City, Iowa.
Mervin Truman Johnson, 88, of Armstrong passed away unexpectedly at his home on April 22, 2024. He was born May 31, 1935 in Whittemore, Iowa, to Truman and Pearl (Bromley) Johnson and graduated from Swea City High School in 1953. Mervin married Janet Godfredson on June 4, 1954, and together they had six children. Their 63 year marriage gave them a lifetime of wonderful memories. She preceded him in death in 2018.
Mervin focused mainly on his work as a farmer so that he could provide for his family. He instilled in each of them a strong work ethic and finally retired after the 2023 fall harvest. For years, he served as a 4-H leader and board member and was active with Pork Producers. He always enjoyed grilling pork chops at the state fair with that organization. Mervin was especially proud of producing purebred livestock and of the many grand-champion awards he received at fairs in Iowa and Minnesota.
Mervin also made time with family and friends a top priority. The entire family loved snowmobiling, horseback riding, boating, and camping at Dawson’s Lakeside Campground. In 2000, Janet insisted they buy a houseboat, and Mervin became the captain of the Jan E. Lee. He loved to take family and friends on rides, and the grandkids’ fondest memories are of time on South Silver Lake. Mervin’s motto later in life was, “Think young!” He lived up to that motto and stayed active in his later years with grandchildren’s sports and other activities, participating in tractor pulls with his antique tractors, and spending time with lifelong friends. Mervin took a deep interest in the lives of family members. When someone called him, the farmer in Mervin always asked first about the weather. However, he always proceeded to ask more detailed questions so that he could truly understand his family members’ lives.
Mervin is survived by five of his children and their spouses: Doug (Lisa) Johnson of Inyokern, California, Lewis Johnson of Viroqua, Wisconsin, Kandis (Bill) Pritchett of Midland, Michigan, Lisa (Larry) Olson of Armstrong, and Anita (Nick) Helmich of Estherville. Mervin is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, sister, Lila DeZeeuw, brother, Terry (Judy) Johnson, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, infant daughter, Theresa, infant granddaughter, Candis Johnson, infant great-grandson, Preston Hawks, sister-in-law, Rita Snyder, and brother-in-law, Earl DeZeeuw.
Mervin lived his final day doing what he enjoyed most - watching one of his grandchildren participate in a school activity. He truly enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. Mervin became philosophical in his final years, and shortly after Janet’s passing, he told family members at a gathering, “I had a good life, a good wife, and a good family.”
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com
