Michael Johnson

Michael "Swede" D. Johnson, 69, of Waukon, IA, entered his eternal rest on May 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by family after a three plus year battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 31st, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Father Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery at Hanover. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services Saturday at the church. The service will be live streamed on the church's Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kathleen Johnson. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.
Michael Dee Johnson was born on January 2, 1956, the son of Leonard and Paulyne Johnson, in Waterloo, IA. Michael and his family made their home on a farm near Shell Rock, IA, for five years. The family later moved to Lehigh, IA, where Michael completed his high school education. He then began a career with Granger Motors near Des Moines, IA, where he built custom vans and worked alongside his brother Mitch. Michael then worked at Osmundson Manufacturing for 26 plus years; from a coworker, "Michael was a jack of all trades. Anything you asked him to do, he would do it. He made everyone's life easier from being detail oriented, organized, reliable, and just a great guy." He was also a supervisor for 150 people for ten plus years.
Michael's artistic instincts and hands-on skill served him well across every job he held. Michael not only built an air compressor from the ground up that he called "Big Johnson," but crafted his own chopper motorcycle, showcasing both his creativity and mechanical skill.
To know "Swede" was to love him. You might wonder where the name "Swede" came from? That is a story for another day. After a recent scan, when the results were not favorable, Swede pointed to the heavens and stated, "My divine physician knows." Swede did not try to win one over, but displayed his authentic self and was kind, organized, and joy filled with a humbled spirit. Swede was not afraid to share the source of his joy and one of his favorite scriptures is John 14:8: "If God is all you have, you have all you need!" He recognized the countless miracles that occurred during this difficult journey. During the difficult moments, he endured with much grace.
Swede was grateful for his team of healthcare providers, especially Dr. Katherine Price, Mayo oncology, Mayo palliative care, Sue McMillan, ARNP-C, Minji NA ARNP, Bill Specht, ARNP, and Nancy Haberichter, Winn Med Hospice, and all who cared for and who offered prayers and support.
Michael married Vickie Lambert and later divorced. He married Linda Steadman; she entered her eternal rest on December 27, 2017. On February 2, 2022, Michael married Kathleen Farley. Michael was a devoted husband who was Kathleen's rock of faith, strength, peace, and understanding, and most of all, unconditional love whose smile was radiant and contagious. Michael was a homebody and his favorite trips were to Galena, IL, and Dubuque, IA. Kathleen stated, "Michael was one in a million to me. Michael had my heart from the start, and he was my rock! I clung onto Michael through his journey. Michael woke up with a smile, even on difficult days and greeted me with, 'Good morning, beautiful.' In those short years, we enjoyed each other's company at meals, cooking together, driving through the country, mowing, and trimming our yard and my parents' yard. Michael's work was immaculate and done to perfection. We planted tomatoes, his specialty. We danced to our favorite tunes in the living room; we enjoyed laughter. We watched Michael's favorite show "The Chosen," most Sundays." He loved westerns and would read scriptures daily. Michael joined the bible study group God's Bros and appreciated the prayers and support. Michael means "Godly one"; psalm 4:3: "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself."
Michael is survived by his wife Kathleen Farley-Johnson; two children: Jessica (David) Carlson and Amber (Brian) Impecoven; three step-children: Happy Ellett, Keith (Stacy) Palmer, and Kris (Andy) Walker; four grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; nine great-step-grandchildren; two brothers: Randy Johnson and Mitch (Charlotte) Johnson; a niece; father-in-law Paul Farley, who he called dad, and mother-in-law Mary Farley, who he called mom; seven brothers-in-law, who he referred to as brothers: Mike (Mindy) Farley, Joe (Rhonda) Farley, Mark (Teresa) Severson, John (Carmen) Farley, James (Julie) Farley, Tim (Ann Marie) Raleigh, and Thomas (Jodi) Farley.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Paulyne Johnson; his previous spouse Linda; two brothers: Danny and Scott Johnson; stepson-in-law Harry Ellett; and a nephew Jayson Johnson.
Michael will be missed by many that were lucky enough to know him.
Honorary casketbearers are Danny and Scott Johnson, Fr. John Moser, Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg, Mitch and Randy Johnson, Fr. Mark Osterhaus, Fr. Jospeh Sevcik, Paul and Mary Farley, Tom Christensen, Jean Ann and Brian Dillman, Amy and Ferde Garcia, Kristi and Bob Hager, Jim and Patti Klika, Judy McCormick, Prayer Angels, God's Bros, the CEW Community, 80s Ladies, and friends from Lehigh, Perry, and Fort Dodge. Casketbearers are Michael and Joseph Farley, Teresa Farley Severson, John and James Farley, Ann Marie Raleigh, and Thomas Farley.