Sylvester F. Johnson

GEORGE, IA Sylvester F. Johnson, age 84 of George, IA, died Saturday, December 10, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Center in George, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, Dec. 12th at First Baptist Church in George, IA, with Rev. Steve May officiating. Burial will follow at church cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 11th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Sylvester Floyd Johnson was born April 1, 1927 in Midland Township, Lyon County, Iowa, the son of Fred and Fannie (Meinerts) Johnson. He was raised on a farm near the Iowa " Minnesota border and attended Midland Township School. After finishing his schooling he continued helping with the family farm. On January 5, 1948, Sylvester was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jane Vust at her parents home in George, IA. They moved to a farm where he continued farming and raising livestock for the majority of his life. Five children were blessed to this union. Sylvester enjoyed living the lifestyle of a farmer and raising livestock, especially sheep. In June of 2000 Sylvesters wife of 52 years died. Sylvester remained living on the farm until he turned 80 years old, when declining health required him to move to a home in George, IA. In December of 2008 he entered the Good Samaritan Center in George, IA. He was a member of First Baptist Church near George, IA and served as trustee for numerous years. His children will remember their dad as a kind hearted man, who taught integrity and work ethic with persistence. His actions spoke louder than his words. Faith, family and friends were most important to Sylvester. This past Saturday, December 10, 2011, Sylvester died at the Good Samaritan Center in George at the age of 84. He is survived by his five children, Harry (Peggy) Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, Bob (Pat) Johnson of George, IA, Marilyn Johnson of George, IA, Lori (Don) Harberts of Rock Valley, IA and Steve (Lori) Johnson of Little Rock, IA; fourteen grandchildren, Kim (Kurt) Weeks of Spencer, IA, Mike (Ann) Johnson of Little Rock, IA, Jenny Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, Kari (Terry) Bruinsma of Spirit Lake, IA, Scott (Rachel) Johnson of Eveleth, MN, Michelle (Jon) Coulon of Minneapolis, MN, Leah Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, Jessica (Travis) Remme of Sioux Falls, SD, Derek (Kelly) Harberts of Sioux Falls, SD, Tyler (Carrie) Johnson of Little Rock, IA, Brent Johnson of Little Rock, IA, Taylor Harberts of Ames, IA, Krista Johnson of Little Rock, IA and Brendan Harberts of Rock Valley, IA; twelve great-grandchildren; one sister, Delores Jurrens of Little Rock, IA; one sister-in-law, June Vust of George, IA; one aunt, Nell Bruns of George, IA; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Fannie Johnson; his loving wife, Elizabeth Jane Johnson; two infant brothers; and one sister, Iona Johnson.