Donald Earl Johnson, age 82, of Madrid, IA died Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames following a brief illness.

A visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. A private family burial will be at Eldora Cemetery in Eldora.

Don was born December 24,1941 on a farm in southwest Minnesota, the third of six children born to Earl and Elsie (Kruse) Johnson. He was raised on multiple farms in southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa before graduating from Beaver Creek (MN) high school in 1959.

Following high school, Don joined the National Guard and attended tech school in Minneapolis, where he met his lifelong best friend, Roger Lenz. Graduating as a medical laboratory technologist, he moved to Elgin, IL to work at Sherman Hospital. There he met a sassy blonde named Suzanne and dared to ask her out. They married August 12, 1967, in Elgin.

Shortly thereafter, the two moved back to Iowa, this time to Eldora, where he joined back up with Roger to work in the hospital laboratory. Thus began the many adventures of Don and Suz and Rog and Dee. Son Matthew, who died in infancy, was born here in 1971. Daughter Stefanie was born the following year.

The young family then moved to Centerville, IA, where Don became the medical laboratory director at St Joseph's Mercy Hospital. Daughter Carolyn was born here in 1974. Don was actively involved in First Lutheran Church, singing in the choir and serving as a church officer. He coached his daughters' softball teams for many years. He earned his coaching certification and worked as an assistant coach for the Centerville High School volleyball and girls' basketball teams in the 80s and early 90s.

Don and Suzie moved briefly to Adel, IA before moving to Exira, IA when Don took the medical laboratory director job at Audubon County Hospital. He remained there until his retirement. They stayed in Exira for 25 years before moving to Madrid, IA to be closer to their girls.

Don was proof of the statement "you can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy." He did not have backyards, he had back gardens and spent hours tending to Suzie's beloved flowers and his veggies. The only thing bigger than his gardens was his heart. He never said an unkind word about anyone, made friends easily, always had a smile and loved his family with his whole heart. His giant bear hugs will be greatly missed.

Don is survived by his daughters Stefanie (Matthew) Gardner of Johnston and Carolyn (Kirk) Stevens of Ames; granddaughters Holly (Ethan Middleton) and Maggie Gardner; grandsons Jacob and Will Stevens; sisters Darlene Eeten and Roberta McKibbin; brother Jim Johnson; best friend, Roger Lenz; multiple nieces and nephews, and many friends he considered extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Elsie Johnson; wife of 55 years, Suzanne; infant son Matthew, and brothers Rodney and Marlow Johnson.

The family would like to thank the staff members of Madrid Home and The Cedars in Madrid and the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. The amazing care and love you showed Dad is greatly appreciated.

Memorials may be directed in Don's name to Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.