Dennis C. Johnson
Dennis C. Johnson, 89, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at UnityPoint Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge. Services will be 11:30 AM on Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in North Lawn Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the United States Air Force and VFW Post #1856. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Friday at the Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Fort Dodge.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Mary Lu; their four children, Jeff (Karen) Johnson of Marco Island, FL, Scott (Michele) Johnson of Fort Dodge, Steve (Susan) Johnson of Mansfield, TX, and Susan (Clayton) Carlson of Eden Prairie, MN; seven grandchildren, Nick (Erica) Johnson, Sam Johnson, Ben Johnson, Jennifer (Jacob) Shurbet, Megan (Sayle Matthews) Johnson, Nicole Johnson, and Natalie (David Waldvogel) Carlson; eight great grandchildren, Jaxson, Joseph, Harper, Berkley, Madison, Conner, Lindy, and Charlie. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents.
Dennis Charles Johnson, the son of Erick and Edna Johnson, was born January 14, 1934, in Fort Dodge. He was a member of the Fort Dodge Senior High graduating class of 1952. On August 22, 1954, Dennis was united in marriage to Mary Lu Hobson in Fort Dodge. Dennis was part of the ROTC at Iowa State College in Ames and graduated in 1956 from ISC with a degree in Animal Husbandry. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
On March 11, 1957, Dennis entered the United States Air Force and served as a navigator on a C-124 Globemaster. After his honorable discharge on January 21, 1960, he joined his father Erick Johnson and Clarence Johnson in the Kallin-Johnson Monument Co. He has remained co-owner of KJ Monument ever since. Dennis and Mary Lu have been fortunate to spend their summers at their lake home in northern Minnesota for the past 30 years where he was able to work remotely. For the past 20 years they were able to spend their winters in Florida.
Dennis was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Dodge, Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation and served as Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce president. He served for 18 years on Trinity Regional Medical Center hospital boards. He was also a past member of the Lions Club and Sertoma. Dennis was involved nationally with Monument Builders of North America and was able to serve as MBNA president in 1975. Kallin-Johnson has been a member of the American Institute of Commemorative Art since 1973 where Dennis was able to serve on their board in the mid 1980’s.
Memorials may be left to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Dodge.