Roy Alfred Johnson

Roy Alfred Johnson

Funeral services for long time Niobrara County rancher, Roy Alfred Johnson, age 85, were held Tuesday, May 23, 1995, at the Bader Funeral Home in Lusk with Rev. Dick Kalber of St. George's Episcopal Church officiating. Burial followed in the Lusk Cemetery.

Mr. Johnson died Saturday morning, May 20, 1995, at the Niobrara Community Hospital in Lusk. He was born July 20, 1909, about 25 miles north of Lusk. His father, Alfred Johnson was born in Columbus, Neb., on May 3, 1875; his mother, Olive Corneilus Roy, was born in Ondalak, Wisc. on March 21, 1887.

Roy has two sisters, Ruth who resides at the Niobrara County Nursing Home, and Grace who is deceased. Roy always said there weren't any sibling fights because he was the oldest, biggest, strongest and smartest.

Roy attended school in the building that is now the Elk's Lodge. He graduated from high school in 1927. As a child he enjoyed, fishing, ice skating and trapping muskrats. He would then sell the hides for his spending money.

The first job Roy had was as a bag carrier for A.E. Johnson Grocery Store. He also worked for the Triple A Company. When his father passed away, Roy took over the management of Johnson Ranches.

Roy married Elenor May Schaefer on September 27, 1940. Their only child, Robert Roy, was born on December 22, 1949.

Together Roy and Elenor worked to make Johnson Ranches a prosperous, quality ranching operation.

On almost any day, Roy loved watching trains; he was always fascinated by them. He carried that love of the locomotive to his basement where his model train tracks and collection take up most of the room.

In recent years he liked sitting in "Pops" Diner watching the traffic and people; shooting the breeze with his railroad buddies, and endlessly stirring his cup of coffee.

Roy leaves his bride of 55 years, Elenor; his son, Robert and his wife Polly; one sister Ruth; and two grandchildren, Dee and Keven.

For those who wish, memorials to the Roy Johnson Memorial Scholarship in care of the Lusk State Bank, will appreciated by the family.

Bader Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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