Raymond Johnson, age 81, of Huron, died Monday, June 29, 2015, at the Huron Regional Medical Center. His funeral service was held at 10 AM, Friday, July 3rd, at the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Mark Holland, officiating. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery.
Raymond Johnson was born May 11, 1934, to Vern and Regina Johnson in Kingsbury County. He grew up and attended rural schools through the eighth grade. He was baptized at the Methodist Church in De Smet. In 1948, Raymond moved to a farm north of Huron with his family. He worked at various jobs at Swift, Amour's, and for neighboring farmers. He also drove truck for a local trucking company.
In 1951, Raymond started in the construction business hauling sand and gravel. From that time on, he further increased his business, Johnson Sand and Gravel, in which he was still actively involved with his wife, sons, and a grandson.
In November 1954, Raymond married Madeline Hansen at the First United Methodist Church in Huron. To this union, seven children were born, Michael, Steven, Debra, Rodney, David, Roger, and Dennis.
Raymond's favorite pastimes were hunting, restoring Ford tractors, caring for his Black Angus cattle, and riding his four-wheeler. He enjoyed donating sand to the little children for their sandboxes and other children's activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; one sister, Wanda Sevesind; and one brother-in-law, Carl Bitner.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Madeline of Huron; seven children, Michael (Sharon) Johnson, Steven Johnson, Debra (Gary) French, Rodney (Kelly) Johnson, David (Julie) Johnson, Roger Johnson, and Dennis Johnson, all of Huron; nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert (Mary) Johnson of De Smet, two sisters, Audrey Bitner of Sioux City, and Shirley (Arlie) Burnett of Huron; one brother-in-law, Leo Sevesind; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.