Donald Johnson

Donald H. Johnson, 95, passed away Monday, June 30, 2025 at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 14 at the First Reformed Church from 5-7 p.m. and again on Tuesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 15 at 11 a.m. at the First Reformed Church. Burial will be in the Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center with military honors performed by the Buffalo Center American Legion.

Donald Herman Johnson was born March 2, 1930, south of Buffalo Center, the only son of Jake and Ruth (Balvance) Johnson. He had an older sister, Dorothy, and a younger sister, Arla. After attending Grant Country School #4, he graduated from Buffalo Center Community Schools in 1947. He is believed to be the last surviving member of that graduating class. He was a lifelong resident of Buffalo Center, except for 1952 and 1953 when he served in the Army. He was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church; he was baptized and confirmed there. Later in life, he served on the consistory as a deacon.

On April 14, 1957, Donald was united in marriage to Crystal Elizabeth Groe at the Sion Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. After their marriage, they lived and farmed near Buffalo Center. Donald raised cash crops and various livestock through the years. In 1963, they purchased a farm between Buffalo Center and Thompson that was their home until 2006, when they moved into town. Over the years, they added a number of buildings to the home place. Shortly after the move into town, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary for two days with family and friends.

Donald served on the Cooperative Oil Company board of directors for many years. He was the chair of the board for some of those years and never enjoyed leading the annual meetings and was always glad when it was over. He was involved with hiring several employees and was amazed at how long some of them stayed with the company. He and Crystal did enjoy the annual trips to the Twin Cities for the Midland Cooperatives Annual Meeting and the evening out at the theater. Donald did serve on a regional board and got to know peers from the broader North Iowa area.

The few times he traveled, he would come back with information on farming in that part of the country. He spent many hours drinking coffee and catching up at wherever the current gathering spot was. His favorite quote was “I already told you more than I know.” He also enjoyed checking out the crops. A few Sundays each year, he would take the family out for dinner and visit implement dealerships and tour the country on the way home. These days, he was happy with a short trip to view the crops that Eldon was raising. Donald was always ready to attend family gatherings, unless it was a wedding.

He lived at the Timely Mission Nursing Home for the last four years and spent a lot of time getting to know and talk with the staff. Thank you to all for your caring interactions with him.

He is survived by his children, daughter, Sheryl Johnson of Burnsville, MN; son, Eldon Johnson of Buffalo Center; grandsons, Allix Betsinger of Buffalo Center and Dallas Boysen-Betsinger of Austin, MN; nephew, Duane (Sally) Ites of Spirit Lake, niece Karen (Duane) Carstens of Hampton and their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 61 years, Crystal, both sisters and their spouses, Dorothy (Robert) Bader and Arla (Marvin) Ites and a niece, Diana Bader.