Charles "Chuck" E. Johnson

Charles E. Johnson, 81, of Kearney, died Friday, March 10, 2017 at Mt. Carmel Home. Memorial services will be at 10:00 am Thursday, March 16, 2017 at First United Methodist Church. The Reverend Melody Adams will officiate. According to his wishes, Mr. Johnson was cremated. Interment of ashes will be at Kearney Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association in Memory of Chuck and his daughter, Denise Johnson, or the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Charles E. Johnson was born on March 25, 1935 in Thompson, North Dakota to Peter and Alma (Stavig) Johnson. He grew up in Grand Forks, ND and was a 1953 graduate of Grand Forks High School. He was united in marriage to Lulu Thorson on October 29, 1955 until their divorce in 1974. On October 18, 1975 Charles married Betty O’Brien Giesenhagen in Holdrege, Nebraska. After which the couple lived in McCook, Nebraska. Charles worked at Lystad’s before becoming manager at Ecolab in Kearney. He later started Johnson Pest Control in Kearney. Charles was a member of First United Methodist Church. Throughout the years he loved traveling with his wife Betty. Some of their most memorable destinations included Alaska, Ireland and several NASCAR Racing Events. For several years Charles and Betty enjoyed snow birding in Alamo, Texas. Survivors include his son, Randy Johnson and wife Irene of McCook; daughters, Joanne Elliott and husband Butch of Otterville, MO, Doreen Wilcox and husband Dave of Buckeye, AZ and Cindy Johnson of Sedalia, MO; 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Clara L. Syverson of Grand Forks, ND; sisters-in-law, Madora of Denver, CO and Jean Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; step-children, David Giesenhagen and wife Deb of North Platte, Jimmy Giesenhagen and wife Vicky of Colby, KS, Darrel Giesenhagen and wife Jeanette of Holdrege, Gary Giesenhagen and wife Donna of Kearney, Carol Criss and fiancé Terry Ritterbush of Kearney; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends, as Chuck never met a stranger in his lifetime. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty Johnson; daughter, Denise Johnson; and four brothers, Vernon, Arnold, Orville and Phillip Johnson.

Charles "Chuck" E. Johnson

March 25, 1935 - March 10, 2017