Eldon Johnson

Eldon W. Johnson, 96, passed away on July 2, 2026, at Sanford Vermillion Hospital. He was born August 12, 1929, at home near Hooker, SD, the son of Thomas and Ella (Andahl) Johnson. In 1930 the family moved to a farm north of Vermillion where he grew up and lived until he went into the service during the Korean War in 1952. He was discharged in February 1954. He was united in marriage to Mary Lois Albers from Meckling on March 28, 1954. To this union a daughter Lori Beth and a son Danny Scott were born. Mary Lois passed away in 1972.

On July 29, 1978, he married LeNora Benney Hanson at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church north of Vermillion. They remained on the farm until “retiring” in 2013 when they moved to Vermillion. Farming was his lifelong love.

Grateful for sharing his life with him are his wife LeNora of 47 years; two children Lori Beth (Paul Wire) and son Danny Johnson of Vermillion; two step-children, Bruce (Carol) Hanson of Lexington, NE, and Karmen (John) Harnois of Buffalo, MN; six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; sister Louise Larsen, Flat Rock, NC; sister-in-law Beverly Johnson, Wakonda, SD; and nine nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Ella; his wife Mary Lois (Albers) Johnson; his brothers Arnold Johnson, Lester Johnson, and Kenneth Johnson; sister Ruth Ostrem; sisters-in-law Sylvia Johnson and Lois Johnson; brothers-in-law Clarence Ostrem, Darwin Larsen, and Eldon’s in-laws Harvey and Vivian Albers and Lellan and Lily Benney.

Eldon’s funeral service will be 11:00 AM Thursday, July 9, at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM preceding the service. Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Cemetery. Lunch will follow at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church. HansenFuneralHome.com.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church or Pleasant Valley Lutheran Cemetery Association.