Walter B. Johnson

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Walter Bruce Johnson, 94, of O'Neill, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at the Arbor Care Center in Neligh.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in O'Neill.

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill with military honors provided by the Page American Legion post 315.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Walter was born on May 20, 1930 in Walnut, to Bruce and Clara (Miller) Johnson. Growing up the family lived on a farm near Walnut and Walter attended the Lutheran Church at Venus, and later the Dorsey Church. He was a life-time member of the Presbyterian Church in O'Neill where he served as an Elder and on the Board of Trustees. He attended Osborn District School #57 near Walnut before graduating from O'Neill High School in 1948.

Walter enlisted into the United States Army in 1952. He did his basic training at Fort Riley, KS before fighting in the 180th infantry regiment during the Korean War. He was awarded a Purple Heart, two battle stars and an infantry badge. 

He moved back home where he was a 50-year member and past Commander of the Page American Legion #315 and V.F.W.  He also was a member of the Disabled Veterans and spent many years on the firing squad.

Walter met Dorothy Howard at a dance in Verdigre and they later married on May 22, 1952 in Orchard. To this union four daughters were born Linda, Debra, Diane and Janet. They moved to the farm north of Page in 1956 where they farmed and raised their family until retiring and moving to O'Neill in 2001.

  Walter's great loves were his girls, feeding cattle and farming. He took great interest in the cattle and corn markets and loved going to cattle auctions. He saw numerous changes in agriculture throughout his lifetime, going from farming with horses to computerized tractors. He always embraced change and making things better.  

When faced with adversity whether it was health issues or weather challenges with farming, he always believed that God would take care of him and his family. In later years he welcomed and enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Walter is survived by his  four daughters Linda Duncan of Wellsburg, WV, Debra (Brian) Stevens of Page, Diane (Curt) Gotschall of Atkinson and Janet (Jeff Bauer) Johnson of Norfolk; 10 grandchildren Clesta Stevens, Jeremy (Heidi) Stevens, Paige (Wyatt) Boettcher, Chareen (Ryan) Church, Megan (Tyler) Butterfield, Trevor (Tiffany) Gotschall, Jon (Cary) Gotschall, Marie (Robert) Bombeck, Anna Bauer (Coleman Jackson) and Kaitlyn (Colton) Anderson; 17 great-grandchildren; one brother Clayton Johnson of O'Neill; one brother in-law Don Calkins of Lincoln; and numerous nieces and nephews.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy Johnson, one son-in-law Robert Duncan, one sister Claryce Calkins and one great-grandson Brixton Taylor.     

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