Roger S. Johnson, 91, a lifelong resident of Flandreau, passed away peacefully at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Sept. 14, 2024. Visitation will take place at Skroch Funeral Chapel on Saturday, September 21 from 11am-1pm, immediately followed by a celebration of life at 1:00pm with burial to follow at Union Cemetery.
Roger was born on July 3, 1933 to James and Myrtle (Hanson) Johnson. Roger graduated from Flandreau High School in 1951. Roger joined the Navy in fall of 1951 and served as a firefighter at the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX until 1953. He joined his father and brothers at Jimmie’s Grocery Store when he returned from the military. He left the grocery store when he and Ione opened Top Line Variety Store from 1970-1974. He worked for his brother Chuck at the grocery store from 1974-1977. On June 1, 1977, he was appointed as the Moody County Register of Deeds and served in that position for 24 years, before retiring.
Rog married Ione (Moore) in De Smet, SD on February 10, 1957. He was an active community member serving as president of the Civic and Commerce, member of the Flandreau Booster Club, and a member of the Flandreau Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed volunteering at the Moody County Historical Society and Museum. He had an interest in the Moody County veterans who served in World War II. He began collecting information on their lives and experiences, and placed that information into four huge scrapbooks which can be viewed at the Moody County Historical Society & Museum.
Rog loved football. One of his proudest accomplishments was being a member of the high school football “chain gang” for 45 years. He was an inductee into the Flandreau Athletic Hall of Fame 2023 being recognized as a member of the FHS football team that went undefeated during his entire high school years.
In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking projects, building his train collection, and assembling domus kits. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. July 4 was a special time, as his birthday was the day before so lots of family and friends gathered at their house. The day was often capped off with a visit from the Flandreau Alumni Band who played “Happy Birthday” as well as the FHS fight song. That meant so much to him.
He is survived by his loving wife Ione, children Janelle Peterson, Dell Rapids, SD, Steve (Mary) Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD, Kyle (Barbara) Johnson, Flandreau, SD, seven grandchildren, Adam (Mandy) Peterson, Ben (Jenny) Peterson, Courtney (Dusty) Meyer, Tanner (Jacqueline) Johnson, Casey Johnson (Jessica), Keri Johnson, and Kayla Johnson, 8 great grandchildren, brother Charles (Caroline) Johnson, Dell Rapids, and sister-in-law Jo Johnson, Rogers, AK, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Myrtle, brother Ralph, sister Leanne Alberts, and brother-in-law Dean Alberts.
In memory of Roger, please consider a memorial donation to the Moody County Historical Society and Museum or the Flandreau Volunteer Fire Department.