Juel S. Johnson

Juel Stanley Johnson, a Hurley farmer and former state legislator, died Thursday, February 28, 2008 at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls at the age of 84. Born December 4, 1923 to Thomas and Marie Johnson, he was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church and lived his entire life in Turner County. Juel dedicated his life to serving God, his family, and his community. Well done, good and faithful servant. After graduating from Hurley High School in 1941, Juel began his life long dedication to the land by farming with his father, Thomas, on the family homestead in Norway Township. Generous with his gifts and time, Juel served in many ways to support his church and community. He was a life-long, active member of Bethany Lutheran Church. He served on the Rural Hurley School Board, the South Dakota Merit System Council, and was chairman of the Turner County Republicans from 1968-71, serving many times as a delegate to the state GOP convention. One could always find him sitting at the Republican booth at the Turner County Fair every August, the fair which he attended each of his 84 years. Juel served as a State Representative for the 9th District from 1983-92. In recognition of his tenure, Governor Mike Rounds has asked that flags be flown at half-mast on Monday, March 3 in Juel’s honor. Juel was united in marriage to Myrle Ilene Trumm on June 13, 1948. They raised three daughters and a son on the farm west of Hurley. Myrle preceded him in death on June 25, 1976. On August 12, 1978 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Womeldorf of Parker. Dorothy and Juel enjoyed family, friends, church, sporting events, winters in Arizona, and trips to Pierre during their 29 years together, always finding time to enjoy their 18 grandchildren. Juel will be missed as an active and entertaining member of the “morning coffee club” at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home in Parker. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Dorothy Johnson, Parker, SD, his daughters and sons-in-law Patricia and David Meyer, Brookings, SD; Cynthia and Kevin Brown, Vermillion, SD; and Rebecca and Daniel Blue, Sioux Falls, SD. He will also be greatly missed by his farming partner, his son, Paul Johnson and wife, Lisa, Hurley, SD and also by his life-long friend, Lester Brue and wife, Alice. Also celebrating his life are Dorothy’s children, Dennis (Flo) Womeldorf, Wall, SD; Jonda (Mark) Jensen, Beresford, SD; and Lynette Womeldorf, Kearney, Nebraska. Juel’s legacy of faith and love will continue on in his grandchildren, Andrea Meyer (Brian) Schmidt, Scott, John, and Paul Meyer; Ellen and Jack Brown; Ian, Julia, Elliot, and Mason Blue; Jennifer, Jay, and Jill Johnson; Brett Womeldorf, Tera Womeldorf (Troy) Krull, Zach, Amanda, and Rachael Jensen, and great-grandchildren, Dylan Schneider and Tyler Womeldorf. Remembering a life well lived will be his siblings, Lorraine Rasmussen, Viborg, SD; Kenneth (Irene) Johnson, Fort Worth, TX; Arlys (Bud) Precht, Edina, MN and many loving nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff at Sanford USD Medical Center for their care and compassion. Celebration of Life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2008, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Hurley, with burial to precede services at the church cemetery near the family farm. On Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., please join the family for a pancake lunch at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 2800 E. 57th St., Sioux Falls, followed by a Prayer Service at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be all day Sunday at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Parker, with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to support the ministries of Bethany Lutheran Church in Hurley.