Jim T. Johnson

Jim T. Johnson was born at home near Davey, NE to David and Orrie (Wedberg) Johnson on January 21, 1934. Jim was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ceresco. He graduated from Ceresco High School in 1951 where he was a multi-sport athlete. Soon after graduating, Jim enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1951-1953. On August 24, 1958, Jim married Donna Schwenck at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ceresco. Following his military service, Jim took a job as a tree trimmer for the City of Lincoln and, by 1959, had worked his way up to the position of City Arborist. He retired from that position in 1983. Throughout his time as an arborist, Jim continued to farm and raise an enormous vegetable garden. Following his retirement from his arborist position, Jim spent the next 18 years working for Sunwest Farms, a wholesale florist. He farmed for them in addition to driving a 500-mile daily roundtrip delivering flowers to florists. Jim retired three years ago. Included among Jim's many activities, were memberships in the American Legion Post #244 in Ceresco, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo, Nebraska Arborist Association, and the Friendship Force. Jim will be remembered most for the joy he received from helping others. He was a host father to several foreign exchange students and still remained in contact with each of them. He was active in the Boy Scouts of American and with the Young Admirals Drum and Bugle Corps as the equipment manager. He and Donna accompanied that group on many trips throughout the country. No one will forget his annual Christmas lights display along Highway 77 which featured a John Deere tractor pulling a wagon. Jim is survived by his wife Donna Johnson of Wahoo; son Scott (Jeri) Johnson of Davey; daughter Shelli (Brian) Schaeffer of Ceresco; grandchildren Tameka (Jason) Burcham of Raymond, Ben Schaeffer of Lincoln, Parker Johnson of Ceresco; great-grandchildren Brielle, Tyson and Harmony Burcham; sister Maurece Engelbart of Omaha; mother-in-law Bernice Wiese of Wahoo; sister-in-law Vonnie (Norm) Klassen of Bingham Lake MN; brother-in-law Gayle Schwenck of Wahoo; AFS sons and daughter, Bernard Godeaux of Belgium, Helio Abreu of Brazil, Stefan Behra of Germany, and Toke Beeksman of The Netherlands. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Orrie Johnson, daughter Linda Johnson, and sister Kathleen Swanson. Memorials may be made to the family for a later designation.