Deen Johnson

Deen Earl Johnson, age 92, of Gordon, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026, while fencing on his farm. He was born May 28, 1933, to Julius and Myrtle Johnson on a small farm southeast of Gordon.

He attended Pleasant Hill rural school through 8th grade and graduated from Gordon High School in 1951. He was one of Gordon’s first FFA members to receive the State Farmer Degree. Later his sons, Rodney and Russell, also received this honor.

Deen was drafted and became an Army Corporal. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Olds, on Dec. 19, 1954, then returned to Germany for six months before his honorable discharge. Deen and Kathryn rented several farm places in the Gordon and Batesland, South Dakota areas. In 1965, after the passing of his father, Julius, they moved to the home place northwest of Gordon. They were blessed with four children, Janice, Rodney, Russell, and Valarie.

Deen enjoyed raising wheat, corn, alfalfa, and other crops, along with sheep, hogs, and cattle. Deen worked as a carpenter, operated a building construction business, did custom farming, had a hay moving business, and Rocking Y Feedyard - all to help subsidize his love of farming. His skill set included mechanics, welding, doctoring cattle, fence building, and conserving the land.

Some of Deen’s honors include Gordon Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Farmer, Farmer of the Year, numerous wildlife habitat and conservation awards (state & local), and several Sheridan County Soil Conservation awards. He received “Most Outstanding Tree Planter of the Year” by the Nebraska Association of Resource Districts in 2003.

Deen and Kathryn enjoyed taking the family camping, fishing, water skiing, square dancing, and going on special vacations. He also enjoyed hunting with his sons, grandsons, and friends over the years. It was Deen and Kathryn’s special hobby to travel together. They enjoyed Co-op Elevator board trips to Mexico and the Bahamas. They traveled on Security Gold Mystery trips, and some John Deere trips. Some of their private trips included traveling with Bill and Cathy Combs, Jerry and Joyce Godfrey, Dale and Karen Lee, and Dave and Dorothy Browder.

Deen was a member of the United Methodist Church in Gordon for 80 years, was a board member and served on numerous committees. He also served on the district 122 school board, and the Sheridan County FSA Committee. Deen was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn, his parents, Julius and Myrtle Johnson; his in-laws, Lester and Verna Olds; sister Rita Mulcahy; son-in-law Casey Nelson; grandson-in-law Mark Hartman; brothers-in-law William Bruns, Donald Boettcher, Henry Otte; and great-grandson, Bridger Krebs. He is survived by his children: Janice Nelson of Winnetoon, NE, Rodney and Donna Johnson, Russell and Lisa Johnson of Gordon, Valarie and Nathan Geisert of Ogallala, NE; grandchildren: Walter Nelson, Delacia Hartman, Kathryn Kaufman, Deen Leroy Johnson, Krystal Freeseman, Kohl Johnson, Kaleigh Krebs, Kyle Rolf, Jakeb Geisert, Jordan Folsom, and Jensen Rezac, twenty-one great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, three sisters Gwen Otte, Deanna Bruns, and Norma Boettcher; brother-in-law John Mulcahy, and special friend Annabelle Evert; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Funeral services were held Monday, February 23, 10:00 am, at the United Methodist Church in Gordon with the Pastor Peter Mtuamwari and Deen’s grandson, Walter Nelson, officiating. Interment was in Gordon Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the United Methodist Church in Gordon. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Chamberlain Funeral Home.