Merlyn Johnson

Merlyn Johnson, age 88 of Sioux Center, Iowa, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center.

A visitation will be held from 10AM-11AM, Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Hope Lutheran Church in Sioux Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11AM, Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Hope Lutheran Church with Reverend Rosalyn De Koster, officiating. Burial will take place at a later date.

The Johnson family prefers memorials be directed to the Hope Lutheran Church Audio / Visual Fund.

Merlyn Johnson was born on January 20, 1937 at home in Clark County, SD. He was the third child of Milo and Hulda (Moren) Johnson. He and his family moved to Crooks, SD at one year of age. He was baptized at five years of age and became a member of Benton Lutheran Church. He attended Lyons Elementary School until the age 10; when his family moved to Valley Springs, SD, where he finished his elementary education in a rural one room schoolhouse. He was confirmed at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church in 1951.

He attended Garretson High School in Garretson, SD, graduating in 1955. Throughout high school Merlyn participated in football, basketball, track, FFA, Glee Club, class play, Student Council President, Class Vice President, Boys State alternate and was an honor student. His 1955 yearbook quote was “Girls? I’ll take FFA.” Merlyn was also an active member of 4-H.

His additional education included attending Lutheran Jr. College in Wahoo, NE after a chance meeting with the football coach who convinced him to attend the college and play football. He played football for two years and received a general studies degree in 1959. He continued his education at California Lutheran Bible School (CLBS) in Los Angeles, CA where his sister Shirley worked as a secretary. He spent his spare time working at the May Department Store in the accounting department and enjoying the sunshine. He continued assisting his dad on the farm and drove his Oldsmobile Rocket 88 to and from South Dakota. He graduated in 1959 with a Biblical Studies Certificate.

He attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD graduating in 1963 with a BS in Animal Science/Production Animal Science. While at SDSU he enjoyed showing and judging livestock with Little I (Little International) using his animal husbandry skills from his farming background. Interrupting his studies at SDSU was a one-year activation of his unit of the SD National Guard during the Berlin Crisis 1961/1962. Merlyn was proud of his military service and often rode his Harley Davidson motorcycle from Brookings, SD to Fort Sill, OK. He was honorably discharged from the SD National Guard in 1969 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant Artillery.

Following his graduation from SDSU, he spent 6 months in Mexico as an IFYE. (International Farm Youth Exchange) delegate. He worked with the local farmers in the Mexico City area to improve and modernize farming techniques. He enjoyed learning Spanish and connecting with the locals.

He married Rose Mary Kock in 1966 at St. John’s Lutheran in Craig, Iowa. They met at the local chapter of the College and Career Group (C and C) in Sioux Falls, SD. Bonita Joi was born in 1969, Joel Nathan was born in 1971 and Sarah Evangel in 1976. He continued farming with his dad near Valley Springs, SD from 1964 through 1971.

Merlyn was active in the National Farmers Organization (NFO) at the county level and later as a marketing area chief with an office in Cherokee, IA. NFO was an organization that advocated for fair prices in farming. He participated in the 1967 protest of dumping thousands of gallons of milk to raise awareness of low milk prices.

Merlyn and his father had a joint farm auction in 1971. Merlyn and his family moved to Sioux Center, IA, while he was working for NFO full-time. In 1973, he accepted a job offer with a 600-sow farrow and feeder pig cooperative at Crooks, SD, moving his family back to SD for a short time. He and his family returned to Sioux Center in June 1974 to work for a local farmer.

His other jobs included construction, Amsoil (synthetic oil) Independent Distributor, trucking livestock along with part-time lawn mowing and assisting local farmers.

His Christian faith was a guiding force in his life as was the great commission, “Spread the teachings of Jesus Christ to all”. During the 1980’s, he was active in the Man to Man Program (M-2) at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls where he shared his faith with inmates. He felt blessed in helping others; he donated 10 + gallons of blood throughout his lifetime. He was able to donate his tissue, skin and bone to the Iowa Donor Network (IDN) to benefit more than 100 people even after his death.

Rose Mary passed away in 2000 after a courageous battle against cancer. Mary Lou found Merlyn in October of 2001 after they both answered a Christian Singles ad. They married on June 22, 2002, at Crystal Hills Assembly of God in Paynesville, MN. They lived in Maurice, IA, for most of their married life. They enjoyed traveling to visit friends/family and attending activities of grandchildren.

Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents. His siblings: Shirley, Westminster, CO; Cortland and wife Marilyn, Baltic, SD; Charles and wife Marge, Gales Ferry, CT; his nephew, Craig, Baltic, SD and his first wife, Rose Mary.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Johnson, Sioux Center, IA; her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His children: Bonita Heilman and husband Tom, Watertown, MN; Joel and wife Kristi, Craig, IA; Sarah Cam and husband Touly, Sioux Center, IA. Grandchildren Katie Benson and husband, Danny, Horace, ND; Adam Heilman and special friend Erynn, Libby Heilman and special friend James, all of Winsted, MN; Taylor Julius and husband Collin, Bancroft, IA; Ross Johnson and wife Cassie, Tea, SD; Alyssa Oliver and husband Tyler, New Hope, MN; Willeam Cam and wife Janae, Orange City, IA; Thai Cam and special friend Rian, Sioux Center, IA; Great-grandchildren Laekyn and Levi Benson and Hayes Julius; and many nephews and nieces.