Robert V. Johnson

Robert “Bob” V. Johnson, 87, of Emerson, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Heritage of Emerson in Emerson, NE. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; with Pastor Gretchen Ritola officiating. Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at St. Luke Lutheran Church with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, NE. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Bob was born December 31, 1927 near Royal, NE to Vance and Norma (Chapman) Johnson. He attended country school near Creighton and Pierce, NE for his elementary education and 7th grade thru 11th grade he attended Pierce Public Schools. In 1944, Bob’s family moved to Emerson and he attended and graduated from Emerson High School in 1945. After graduation, Bob enlisted in the U. S. Navy in January 1946 and served 2 years until February 1948. He spent 19 months on Saipan. Bob married Betty Andrews on June 15, 1952 and they were united in marriage for 63 years. To this union 3 children were born, Wendy, Kathy, and Monty. Bob returned to Emerson and was employed at McQuistan Service Station and later Bleyhl Lumberyard. In 1955, Bob went to work at the 1st National Bank and was employed there for 35 years and retired on December 31, 1989. Bob was well known around Northeast Nebraska as a softball umpire. He umpired for over 40 years, retiring at the age of 77. Bob also served as the District Softball Commissioner for many years. He was inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Honor in 1997 and he received the Jim Lewis Memorial Award in 2004. He received the Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award for his work as a Cub Scout Leader and he was a lifetime PTA member. Bob served 3 years on the Emerson Village Board, 8 years as a member of the Emerson Hubbard School Board, member of St. Luke Church Council and St. Luke Church Treasurer for 20 years. Bob enjoyed playing cards especially pinochle. Bob loved the outdoors, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He hunted with his dad and later with his son and grandsons. Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Betty; daughter Kathy (Doug) Eriksen of Hubbard, NE; son, Monty (Linda) Johnson of Wadena, MN; 6 grandchildren, Lana Carse, Laura (Jeremy) Dalland, Brian (Lieh Anne) Eriksen, Bobby (Jessica) Johnson, Nolan Johnson and Erin Johnson; 3 great grandchildren, Makiah Riley, Rhyker Dalland and Remy Leigh Johnson; and sister, Betty Jane (Dick) Heitzman. Bob is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Wendy Carse; brother, Willard Lee.