James B. Johnson

Dates

Obituary

James B. Johnson, 86, of Mitchell, SD, died Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Visitation will be Sunday, May 19, from 3-5:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 4:30 PM prayer service.

James B. Johnson was born November 3, 1937, in Sioux City, IA, to Earl and Marcella Johnson. In 1938, they moved to a farm near Alexandria, SD. Jim was the oldest of the family followed by Betty, Bonnie, and Sandy. He attended and graduated from Emery High School in 1955. He served in the National Guard from 1954-1964. On October 23, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart Joan A. Heitzman. They lived in Emery, SD and had three children, Wanda, Keith, and Janice.

Jim started his career working in sales at Trail Eze Trailers and then at Western Ag Sales. He proceeded into selling farm equipment for many years at Janssen Implement in Emery, SD, Puthoff-Schumacher Implement in Humboldt, SD, and Ellefson Implement in Mitchell, SD. He retired in 2002 from Ellefson Implement.

When his children and grandchildren were growing up, he enjoyed camping, hunting, riding horse, snowmobiles, riding motorcycles, and attending the Sturgis Rally yearly with them.

He was the road captain for motorcycle riding events for 13 years. He was an active member of the Harley-Davidson Group for 35 years and a Moose member for 50 years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Wanda Chaney (Jason Stansbury) of Hartford; son, Keith (Lisa) Johnson of Mitchell; grandchildren: Amber (Pat) Wiedman of Hartford, Jessica (Jake) Johanson of Flandreau, Riley (Steph) Johnson of Sioux Falls, Miles (Sheyanne) Johnson of Plankinton, Samantha (Bryce) Darlage of Indianapolis, IN, and Derek (Nadia) Selge of Indianapolis, IN; nine great-grandchildren: Paige, Emily, Geri and Avery Wiedman, Tate and Wade Johanson, Remi and Reese Johnson, and Tyson Johnson; sisters, Bonnie Engebretson of Spearfish and Sandy (Voyl) Beers of Lake Wilson, MN; brother-in-law, Wayne Vitters of Hibbing, MN; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, John and Laveta Stelzmiller of Sandpoint, ID; and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Janice; parents; sister, Betty and two sisters in infancy; paternal and maternal grandparents; nephew, Michael Beers; parents-in-law, Lorena and Walter Heitzman, and brother-in-law, Frank Engebretson.

Visitation(s)