A Memorial Service for Bruce Johnson, age 92, of Spirit Lake, will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00am at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 9:30-11:00am at the funeral home.
Bruce Leon Johnson was born May 19,1933, to Everett and Mary Johnson in his parents’ home in Emmet County, IA. His family moved to the home farm in Spirit Lake, IA, in 1940 where he lived with his five siblings. He purchased the farm from his dad and lived the rest of his life there. Bruce passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at age 92 with his son Keith by his side.
Bruce attended country school until the eighth grade. In high school he played football and was in the Letterman’s Club. He was a member of FFA for 4 years and was on the staff for the annual his senior year. He was considered “the poetic member of the class” and was well liked. Bruce will always be remembered as the guy ready to entertain with his off-the-cuff humor, his laughter will never be forgotten. He graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1951. His first full time job was delivering propane gas for Lakes Gas company.
Bruce enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict and served from 1952-1956 and was honorably discharged. He was a member of the Spirit Lake John W. Kidd VFW Post #4514 and served as the commander from 1972-1973 and the chaplain for 13 years. He was a member of the Spirit Lake American Legion Post #23 and served as commander from 1996-1998 and as the chaplain in 1995. Bruce served as the Grand Marshall for the Spirit Lake Memorial Day parade in 2007 and 2022. He enjoyed shooting pool at the VFW with other veterans.
On June 17, 1961, Bruce married the love of his life, Janice (Jan) Michels at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, IA. This union was blessed with three children: Kathy (Rick) Kleen, Brian (Linda) Johnson and Keith Johnson. Together, Bruce and Jan raised their children on the family farm, instilling in them life values such as hard work, integrity, unconditional love and lots of laughter. He never expected more from anyone else that he did not also expect from himself. If it was time to pick rocks, you picked rocks, but he was always at our side picking rock with us. Walking beans, baling hay, butchering chickens – he was there working just as hard as anyone else, if not more.
Giving back to the community was important to Bruce. Both he and Jan spent many years making salad for the VFW Friday fish fries. Every Good Friday Bruce would be serving breakfast at the VFW alongside his brothers Cleo and Jeff. He called bingo at the nursing home and the American Legion. He and his brothers gave presentations on the folding of the American flag. Bruce also served as a 4-H leader from 1983-1988. Brian remembers fondly the pie auctions where Bruce and his brothers would try to outbid everyone for the pies, ultimately raising lots of money for the local 4-H kids. He coached Kathy’s softball team and since the team didn’t have caps, he purchased caps for the entire team! It was just a testament to who they were.
Bruce loved conversation and coffee. Whether it was at HyVee, Kegler’s Kitchen, the nursing home or in a friend’s kitchen. Bruce was always able to crack a joke and have a good laugh.
When asked what’s your best advice for your grandchildren Bruce said that they get an education, keep your life in order, work hard, treat people like they want to be treated, and always hold onto your family and your faith.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Mary Johnson; his wife Jan; Cleo Johnson (brother), Phyllis Johnson (sister-in-law), Everett (Jeff) Johnson (brother), Phyllis Johnson (sister-in-law), Genevieve Waldron (sister), John (Jack) Waldron (brother-in-law), Frances Fronk (sister), Mervin Fronk (brother-in-law), Perry Bradshaw (brother-in-law), and nephews, Rick Waldron and Kyle Johnson.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Kathy (Rick) Kleen, Spirit Lake, IA; Brian (Linda) Johnson, Odebolt, IA; and Keith Johnson Spirit Lake, IA; four grandchildren, Matt (Whitney) Johnson Omaha, NE; Kaylene (Matt) Riedell, Odebolt, IA; Taylor (Cole) Schultz, Odebolt, IA and Emily (Ben) Larsen Estherville, IA; eight great grandchildren, Alyssa, Addison, “baby” Johnson, Beckett Riedell, Kyleigh and Karson Schultz, Mya and Kendall Larsen; sister, Ruby Bradshaw, Des Moines, IA; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
In lieu of flowers, please give to one of your own cherished causes in Bruce’s name or send a donation to an organization that Bruce and Jan faithfully supported, Midwest Christian Services, 4509 20th Avenue, Peterson, IA 51047.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
