Norman “Norm” Lee Johnson, 81, of Spirit Lake, formerly of rural Dickens and Terril, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Accura HealthCare of Spirit Lake, after his long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia.
A memorial service for Norm will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, IA. Rites will be held at 9:15 a.m., conducted by the Masonic Highland Lodge #487 of Ruthven on Saturday at the church, followed by visitation at 10:00 a.m. up until the time of the service at the church. Military Rites will be held in the Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Okoboji, conducted by the American Legion Timpe Post #23 and VFW John W. Kidd Post #4514, both of Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Norman Lee Johnson was born on December 27, 1943, to Christy and Alta (Dotson) Johnson in Spencer, IA. He’s a 1962 graduate of Lake Center High School. He earned a B.S. in Agriculture from South Dakota State University. After graduation, Norm entered the Navy Flight Program in Pensacola, FL, to become a Naval Aviator. It was while studying at the UWF Library that he met the love of his life, Laura, who was working there part-time while she was attending Pensacola Junior College. Their first date was at the NAS Officers Club, for dinner and dancing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra playing. They were engaged when Norm received his Navy Wings on November 1,1966, and were married on March 22, 1969, in Pensacola, FL. Norm flew helicopters during his 7 years of service. Their first home was on the Naval Weapons Center base, China Lake, CA. Next, Norm was stationed at NAS Imperial Beach, CA. In Helicopter Support Squadron One (HC-1), during the Apollo 15 Mission Recovery, he piloted the helicopter with the moon rocks. Later, he served on the USS Coral Sea when Laura was able to spend two weeks with him in Hong Kong during his R & R.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy in April 1974, Norm, Laura, and six-month-old son, Shawn, moved onto Norm’s parents’ farm in Lake Township, Clay County, IA, living in Norm’s childhood home. Norm worked most of his life as a farmer in the rural Dickens and Terril area. Norm sold John Deere farm equipment for Northwest Equipment in Spencer from 1989 until 2014. He really enjoyed visiting with farmers at their farms and many long-lasting friendships developed during these work years. For a short period, he worked part-time as a pilot for Great Lakes Airlines, Spencer, IA, while still farming.
Norm was a 58-year Mason, spending most of that time as an active member in the Ruthven Masonic Highland Lodge #486. He was also a member of the Knights Templar in Spencer, IA. He was an active Methodist, on various committees while he was a member of the Ruthven United Methodist Church, Grace United Methodist Church, Spencer, IA, and the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church. In recent years, he especially enjoyed the close friendships he had with those in the adult Sunday School class.
Family was important to Norm. He valued education, and just as Laura supported his dream of going back to farm, he supported her dream of finishing college. After farming all day, Norm watched the boys and cooked dinner for all to have upon her return from evening classes two nights a week in Spencer. The boys were able to watch their mom graduate from BVU while they were still in grade school, something that could not have happened without Norm’s support. Norm enjoyed music, especially attending his sons’ band and choir concerts. He especially enjoyed live performances of musicians. Even on cruises, he loved going to live music performances.
Norm enjoyed riding his bicycle on the lakes area bike trails. He and Laura canoed together in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, MN, in Lake Superior, the Root River in Lanesboro, MN, and in local area lakes. As a family, they took many road trips to Florida and Michigan to see family, as well as trips to see National Parks and nature. After being empty nesters, Norm and Laura continued their joy of travel. Road trips went out west, and east to Maine. They enjoyed a John Deere trip to Monaco, rented a car for three extra days, and explored southern France on their own. They vacationed in Kauai, Hawaii and took many cruises to the Caribbean and one to the Fiji Islands from Sidney, Australia. Norm introduced his favorite hobby of snorkeling to Laura on their first cruise and then snorkeling adventures became highlights of future cruises. Taking walks in the neighborhood were especially enjoyed if Norm could find a neighbor to visit with. He loved people.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Laura Johnson of Spirit Lake; two sons, Shawn (Lavinia) Johnson of Maple Grove, MN, and Christopher Steven Johnson of Mexico City, Mexico; sister, Joyce Spieker of Spencer, IA; grandson, Finley Johnson; nephews Robert “Bob” Erdman of Spencer, IA, Jeremy (Lindsey) Spieker of Nevada, IA, Justin (Brittany) Spieker of Spencer, IA and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Christy and Alta Johnson; father- and mother-in-law, John and Estella Gieseke of Pensacola, FL; sister-in-law, Juanita “Nita” Chambers of Ann Arbor, MI; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Cliff and Gloria Gieseke of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law Jim Spieker of Spencer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center (https://lewybodyresourcecenter.org/donate) Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center, 750 West Broadway, Suite 2R, Long Beach, NY 11561.
Memorials may be made to Spirit Lake United Methodist Church.
