Paul Joseph Johnson

The services may be viewed here. 

Paul Johnson, 68, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Jay Rossman of Holy Cross Lutheran Church officiating. Please wear Nebraska Husker gear or your favorite football team gear in honor of Paul’s passion for football.

Military Honors will follow the service. 

A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s Facebook following the service.

Paul Joseph Johnson was born on November 15, 1957, in Yankton, SD, to Elmer and Helen (Lanphear) Johnson. He was raised on a farm on Brooky Bottom on the Missouri River. Paul attended school in New Castle, NE, and graduated in 1976.

After high school, he worked at Wilson Trailer in Sioux City, NE, for a short time. Paul joined the US Army in 1978 and served in Germany, where he worked on tanks. He served as a Station Commander for most of his time in the Army until he was honorably discharged due to injuries sustained in a car accident after 16 years of dedicated service.

Paul was united in marriage to Evelyn Benda (Skeide) in Watertown, SD, on December 28, 1990. The family was made complete with the addition of Jessica, Evelyn’s daughter from her first marriage, and Kyle, who was born to Paul and Evelyn in 1992. They lived in Sioux Falls, SD, for a short time before moving to Okmulgee, OK, where Paul attended Vocational Tech School for show, boot, and saddle repair. They moved to Hartington, NE, where Paul started his own business, Paul’s Shoe, Boot and Saddle. He also worked with the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department as a jailer and dispatcher. In 2014, the family relocated to Aberdeen, SD, where Paul continued his shoe, boot, and saddle repair business until the time of his passing.

Paul was a wonderful husband, father, stepfather, and grandfather. He was a down-to-earth man who took pride in his work and his dedication to his customers. Paul was very skilled in his profession and will be greatly missed by so many people who loved him. He especially loved spending time with family and friends and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Paul is survived by his wife, Evelyn; son, Kyle; daughter, Jessica; grandchildren: Brett, Hailey, and Brooklyn; siblings: Dennis (Vicky) Johnson of Crofton, NE, Sherille (Robert) Miles of Ainsworth, NE, Earl Johnson of Crofton, NE, Dianne Thorngren of Crofton, NE, Gerry (MerryLee) Johnson of Crofton, NE, Marlene Johnson of Yankton, SD, and Ron Johnson of Yankton, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Helen, one sister, Dorothy, and one nephew, Chris.

“Everyone always told me I had the best one. Yes, it was true, I did have the best one. I love and miss you, Paul.” ~ Evelyn