Hurley Johnson, age 95, of Huron, passed away at home on Friday, December 25, 2020.

His funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Monday, December 28th at the First Baptist Church, which was live-streamed through the First Baptist Church Facebook page. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.  Masks are recommended.

The family requests memorials be directed to the First Baptist Church.

Hurley Leotis Johnson was born August 13, 1925, to Harvey and Mary (Johnson) Johnson in rural Mt. Vernon, Aurora County, South Dakota.  He attended all eight grades with the same teacher, Hazel Shay, at a one-room school called the Christopher School.  He obtained his GED in 1954.  Immediately upon graduating from the eighth grade, he went out to work as a farm laborer.  In the late 30's, he worked on the Ammunition Dump at Edgemont, South Dakota.  In 1945, his uncle, Charley Johnson, who farmed in Aurora County, was killed in a tractor accident so Hurley took over farming his land for his widow.  In 1946, Hurley moved to Huron and worked for Chris Kasperson at a gas station and repair shop.  In the 1950's, he was able to go in to partnership with Joe Hofer at the same station when Chris sold out, eventually becoming sole owner-operator.  In 1967, Hurley became a mechanic for James Valley Co-op and two years later took the position of Traffic Equipment Superintendent for the City of Huron, where he worked until retirement in 1987.  Some duties there included maintenance and collection of parking meters, traffic signs, voting machines and painting strips on roadways.

On August 17, 1947, Hurley married Alene Boyd at Huron.  Two children were born to this union.

His hobbies were watching the crops grow, bird watching, fishing and hunting.  Even at the time of his death, he was eager to go fishing.  Hurley volunteered wherever asked.  For many years, he made minor repairs in people's homes through the RSVP program.  He also drove patients to their doctor's appointments or immigrants to get their green card at the Immigration office at Sioux Falls.  Hurley also volunteered at the First Baptist Church with yard mowing, clipping, painting inside and out, and various repair jobs.  He also helped with Meals on Wheels, US Resource Conservation and Forestry, Huron Chamber of Commerce and Helping Hands. He received commendation and a 20-year pin from the Federal Volunteers of America. Hurley also served as trustee at the First Baptist Church for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alene on February 24, 2017; and five brothers, Delbert, Merle, Norman, Ronald and Charles.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his two children, Bruce (Marge) Johnson of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Mona (Kyle) Helseth of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren, Lori (Dale) Wormsbecher of Avon, Jacki (Bill) McCormick of Edmond, Oklahoma, Nathan Johnson of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Casey (Lacy) Johnson of Golden Valley, Minnesota; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Leo (Shirley) Johnson of Granbury, Texas; two sisters, Jewel Eppendanz of Stickney and Roseline (David) Wadleigh of Mitchell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

View Hurley's Floral Arrangements