Donald L. Johanson, 86, of Oakland NE

Donald L. Johanson, age 86, of Oakland, Nebraska passed away Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Colonial Haven in Beemer, Nebraska.  Memorial services will be on Friday, December 9, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland.  Burial will in the Oakland Cemetery. Memorial visitation will be held Thursday, December 8, 2016, from 5 until 7 p.m. with family receiving friends at Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland.  Memorials my be directed to the family for later designation.  Pelan Funeral Service in Oakland in charge of arrangements.

Donald LeRoy Johanson was born on February 25, 1930 in Oakland, Nebraska to LeRoy and Lillian Viola (Johnson) Johanson. He passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Colonial Haven Nursing Home in Beemer, Nebraska at the age of 86 years, with his loving wife of 58 years by his side.

He attended rural Rock District #48 school and graduated from Oakland High School in 1948. After high school, Donald served in the United States Coast Guard from January 1951 to January 1954. While in the Coast Guard he was stationed in Alameda, California and then was assigned to Far Rockaway, New York. Upon his discharge from the service, he returned back home to Oakland and engaged in farming along with his father.

On July 27, 1958 he married Lura Belle Pronske at Immanuel Lutheran Church near rural Hooper, Nebraska. To this union three children were born, Scott, Lisa and Steve. Donald and Lura spent their entire married life on the family farm west of Oakland.

During his time engaged in farming, Donald served on many board of directors including the Pioneer and Oakland Cemetery, Rock School District #48, Burt County Weed Control and the Farmer’s Co-Op boards. He was a lifetime member of Oakland VFW Ryan Post #5543. Donald was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and previously a member of the First Baptist Church in Oakland. Donald was also employed for 19 years by the Oakland Post Office as a rural relief mail carrier and he retired from that employment in April 2004.

Don didn’t have many hobbies, but he loved visiting with his coffee buddies at the local cafes. Most mornings you could find Don making the rounds at the local coffee shops and engaging in conversations with friends, neighbors and many times, complete strangers. He never missed an opportunity to visit with people and would always take the time to stop and talk. Don and Lura looked forward to annual trips to Minnesota to go fishing for a few days, a pastime they both enjoyed.

However, his favorite passion was simply being a farmer. Don had a deep love for the land and farming. He particularly enjoyed tending to his livestock and the farm never had a shortage of animals with cattle, hogs, sheep, ducks, geese, chickens, horses, dogs, and cats. Don was active with the local 4-H chapter, as his grandsons became involved in showing cattle and sheep. Family and relatives always enjoyed coming to the farm to feed and pet the animals, as they all had a name and were tame.

In 2006, Don retired from his love of farming and passed the reigns to his grandson. Don always joked that he never really retired because he was working harder now, as his grandson always had something for him to do. As Don grew older, his passion for farming changed to a passion for his family. His love for his family was evident by the countless smiles that brightened his face when people spoke of his family. Don was a lifelong resident of Oakland and was well known to many people. It would be difficult to find a friendlier, happy man. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Scott and Steve Johanson; brother-in-law, James Miller.

Donald is survived by his wife, Lura; daughter, Lisa Frederickson of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Tony (Melanie) Johanson of Oakland, Tyler (Jacque) Frederickson of Independence, MO, Stephanie (Chris) Meierant of Grover, MO, Clark Johanson and his fiancé Lindsey Comings of Lexington, NE and Lura E. Johanson of Grand Island, NE; great grandchildren, Landon and Jordan Meierant and Hayden Johanson. Also surviving is his sister, Donna Lee Miller of Oakland, CA.

Don Johanson