Donald Buddy' Johnson

Donald “Buddy” Johnson 81 of Webster died on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Strand-Kjorsvig Rest Home in Roslyn. Memorial services will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 15, 2013 at Fiksdal Funeral Chapel in Webster, Rev. Jan FitzGibbon will officiate. Inurnment will be at Webster Cemetery. Donald Dean “Buddy” Johnson was born on Thursday, February 19, 1931 to Almon and Jennie (Holm) Johnson, Sr. at Waubay, South Dakota. He was baptized in the Lutheran Faith. In 1944 the family moved to Webster where he attended school until 1947. After he received his education he worked on the New Webster Theater during the summer months. In 1948 he worked in the summertime for the Engineering Department for South Dakota State Highways. From 1948-1949 he managed the bowling alley. He moved to Seattle, Washington in 1950 and worked for U.S. Plywood Corporation. In 1953 he returned to Webster and in the fall began working full-time for South Dakota State Department of Highways as a surveyor. On July 11, 1964 he was united in marriage to LaVerna Sauer at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Waubay. After their marriage the couple made their home in Webster where Buddy continued to work for the State Department of Highways. LaVerna passed away in February 1975. He retired in 1987 but continued to work part-time for the state during the summer months until 1993. He recently entered Strand-Kjorsvig Rest Home in Roslyn. He enjoyed bowling, fishing and his cars. He also like traveling, especially to California and Las Vegas where he traveled often. Buddy passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Roslyn, South Dakota at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 18 days. Survivors include three brothers, Almon “Windy” (Barbara) Johnson of Watertown, SD, Duane “Sonny” (Carol) Johnson of Webster and Robert L. (Eileen) Johnson of Tinley Park, IL; a special friend, Kay Gabur of Lily, SD; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three sisters, Margaret (Jim) Delaney, Barbara (Jerry) Jacobson and an infant, two brothers, Kenneth Johnson and an infant.