Services
visitation
November 7, 2012
Wednesday
1:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Ewing Funeral Chapel - Britt
service
November 7, 2012
Wednesday
2:00 PM
Ewing Funeral Chapel - Britt
Obituary
Harold Johnson, 93, of Britt, passed away Saturday, November 3, 2012, at Hancock County Health System in Britt.
Funeral services for Harold Johnson will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt with Pastor Robert Dodge and Pastor Joel DeBoer officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at Ewing Funeral Chapel on Wednesday.
Harold LeRoy Johnson was born September 29, 1919 to Edward and Hedvig (Willodson) Johnson in Britt, Iowa. He was the second of their four children. He graduated from Britt High School in 1937. He worked at the Princess Theatre, Brooks Grocery, and the Candy Kitchen, where he learned to make his “famous” chocolate malts.
On September 29, 1941 he married Alice Genevieve “Gen” Bower of Mason City, Iowa. From 1942 – 1946 Harold was in the Army, stationed on Fischer’s Island off the Connecticut coast. He was in the Intelligence Division, coding and decoding secret messages, while Gen worked at the Army hospital as a dietitian. After World War II ended, they returned to Britt and built several houses. They also built and operated the Sunset Roller rink on 9th Avenue West in the early to mid-1950’s. In 1954 they welcomed the birth of their only child, Terri. During this time period, Harold worked for the Post Office as well. He delivered mail on a Star Route for several of the smaller towns in the area.
Harold and Gen owned and operated Bayside Resort on Leech Lake near Walker, Minnesota from 1961 – 1964. After selling the resort, they returned to Britt and Harold began working at Britt Tech Corp. He also worked with his brother-in-law, Paul Francis, resurfacing slate chalkboards in schools. Beginning in 1974, he road-tested motor homes at Winnebago. In 1991, Harold and Gen bought and remodeled their current home in Britt.
The couple enjoyed roller-skating, bowling, fishing and hunting. Harold was a sports fan, especially the Vikings and Twins. He loved the outdoors and took every opportunity to be outside doing yard work, growing tomatoes and visiting with neighbors. His great sense of humor sustained him, his family, and friends.
Harold is survived by his daughter Terri Lauderback of Britt and her special friend Gary Wilcox of Spencer, granddaughters Lia Lauderback of Britt and Alissa Lauderback of Britt; sister Ruth (Keith) Palmer of Sac City; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Gen; brothers Bill Johnson and Rudy Johnson; son-in-law Garo Lauderback; along with other in-laws, nieces and nephews.