Harold D. Johnson

Harold D. Johnson was born May 31, 1925 in Sutton, Nebraska. He was the third of nine children of Carl J. and Hazel D. (Erickson) Johnson. At the age of five, his family moved to a farm seven miles north of Alliance. He attended his first four years at Box Butte County Rural School District 12. He then attended the Alliance City Schools. Harold's mother died when he was 12 years old, leaving Carl to raise eight children ages eight months to 15 years. Carl insisted that the children not be split up and mentored eight successful individuals. All six Johnson boys served our country in the military.
Harold graduated from Alliance High School in 1942 and, being too young to enter military service, he worked at the Alliance Creamery until being inducted into the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1943.He attended basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas. He went to Kingman, Arizona Air Field for B-17 Gunnery Training. Harold was asked to become an instructor in gunnery and attended instructor school at Laredo Air Field, Texas. Harold then returned to Kingman, and, after instructing for a while, he volunteered for a special overseas project. He was sent to Laredo, Texas again to prepare for overseas project in Europe. The war in Europe ended, so Harold was sent to Las Vegas Air Field for B-29 Gunnery School. He completed this training and then the war with Japan was ended. Harold was honorably discharged in 1946. Harold attended Colorado A. & M. College. Upon returning home, Harold began his career at Nebraska Typewriter in 1947 and purchased the business in 1971. Harold and Lois continue to own Nebraska Total Office (name changed in 2000). This business has serviced the Nebraska panhandle for 75+ years.
Harold's Studebaker collection was started in 1974 when Lois wanted a four door 1951 Studebaker for their 25th anniversary. They acquired the five different models of the 1951 Studebakers, and the Studebaker addiction ensued with adventures taking them from South Dakota, to Kansas to eastern Nebraska. Harold's collection of Studebakers currently totals 23 restored vehicles.
Harold served on the following boards: Nebraska Boys Ranch, Box Butte County Extension Board, Box Butte County School District 44, Alliance Consumers Cooperative, Downtown Improvement, Consumers Cooperative Federal Credit Union, Alliance Board of Adjustment and Good Samaritan Advisory Board.
Harold married Lois Grabher on May 6, 1949. They celebrated 75 years of marriage in 2024. They adopted four children: Brad, Becky, Belinda and Barbie.
Harold passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025 at the age of 99.
His survivors include his wife Lois of the home, Barbie (Roger) Applegarth, Becky (Bill) McDonald, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, all of his siblings, daughter Belinda and son Brad.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Matt Koperski officiating. Interment will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery. A rosary will be said on Monday, April 21st at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Memorials may be given to Highland Park Memory Unit, St. Agnes Academy Foundation or Snow Redfern Foundation.