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Lauren D. Johnson

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LAUREL — Lauren D. Johnson, 100, Laurel, died Oct. 6, 2019, at the Hillcrest Care Center, Laurel.

Funeral Services will be Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Presbyterian Church, Laurel, with the Rev. Jim and Kathleen Splitt officiating.

Burial will be at the Laurel cemetery, Laurel, with military honors by the Laurel Veterans Post #4504 and #54 and the American Legion Riders.

Visitation will be Thursday, at the church, from 5-7 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday one hour prior to services.

Pallbearers will be Rich Brandow, Wayne Johnson, Kyle Brasch, Greg Kvols, Randy Rasmussen and Pat Anderstal.

Honorary pallbearers will be the card club, Gary Lut, Carol Lipp, Jimmy Thompson and Verneal Gade, and the pool club members.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home of Laurel.

Lauren Delmar “Shorty” was born March 7, 1919, in Laurel, to Orville and Nellie (Carlson) Johnson. He grew up on a farm south of Laurel and worked in California for a while for a Creamery until he was drafted into the U.S. Army Aug. 10, 1942. Lauren had extensive training and was part of the WWII invasion on Omaha Beach and also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the 30th Infantry Division. Lauren received the Purple Heart for being wounded by a sniper April 27, 1945. After the war, Lauren married LaVerne Johanna Thomsen Jan. 16, 1949, in Allen. He farmed near Laurel until he retired in 1964. Lauren continued to stay busy by mowing the farm place and doing odd jobs.

Lauren was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and a life member of the Laurel Veterans Post #4504 and #54. He enjoyed playing pool at the Senior Center and competing in pool tournaments in surrounding towns. He liked playing cards as well. In his younger years, he hunted, trapped and fished.

Lauren is survived by his two sons, Lowell Johnson, Belden, and Lenard “Skinner” Johnson, Laurel; two grandsons, Todd (Jill) Johnson, Correctionville, Iowa, and Andy (Sara) Johnson, North Platte; and five great-grandchildren, Colten, Landon, Lauren, Abigail and Kenneth Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LaVerne, Dec.8, 2012, at the age of 84; brother, Floyd Johnson; daughter-in-law, Suzette Johnson; sister-in-law, Gert Johnson; brothers-in-law, Gene Thomsen and Wilbur Thomsen; and parents-in-law, John and Frieda Thomsen.