Lin Johnson

LIN H. JOHNSON IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Lin Holmes Johnson, 85, passed away October 16, 2006 at the Idaho Falls Health and Rehabilitation Center under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. He was born June 19, 1921, in Idaho Falls to Oscar W. Johnson and Phoebe Lucina Weaver Johnson, the third of 12 children. He was raised on various farms in New Sweden, Shelley, Lincoln, and Menan. He attended schools in Idaho Falls and graduated from Shelley High school in 1939. He attended the University of Idaho, BYU and graduated from Utah State Agricultural College with a major in agriculture and minor in journalism. He was drafted into the Army in 1942 serving in the 95th Infantry division in the European Theatre and was part of the forces that liberated the concentration camps in Germany. On the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, he spoke at a symposium at BYU of the reality of the atrocities committed there. His war experiences are chronicled in a book he co-authored with Paul Kelly titled “Courage in a Season of War”. This book includes experiences of soldiers and civilians during World War II. While in the Army on convalescent leave from an injury, Lin met Madge Carol Jenson and they were married on September 27, 1945 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Lin and Madge had 6 children; Barry (Darla) Johnson, Robin (William) Haack, Brad (Jan) Johnson, Drew (Trudy) Johnson, Travis (Kathy) Johnson and Todd (Tammi) Johnson. Lin farmed in the Lincoln area with his father Oscar and brother Tebbin and later with his sons Barry and Travis. He retired from farming in 1998. Growing up in the Depression with 10 siblings, serving in World War II, and life on the farm provided a rich source of material for his column in Intermountain Farm & Ranch and the Post Register. His writing was enjoyed by people of all persuasions. He also had a good singing voice and enjoyed music with his family. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he held the office of High Priest and served as a Bishop, Bishop’s Counselor, High Councilor, and a temple worker in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. In 1983, after 38 years of marriage, his wife, Madge, died. He married Mary Keith Blattner Waddoups on November 29, 1986, in Idaho Falls. She was a wonderful companion to Lin in his later years. Mary’s children are Michael, Kent and David Waddoups and Joyce Christensen. He is survived by his wife Mary, of Pocatello; 5 children; 4 step children; brothers, Walden (Gwen) of Pleasant Grove, UT, Kim (Sharyn) Johnson of Idaho Falls, Merle (Jean) Johnson of Hesperia, CA, Tebbin (Marylou) Johnson of Idaho Falls; sisters, Gretchen Egbert of St. George, UT, Kirma (Jay) Smith of Kimberly, ID; Peggy (Jack) Scott of Idaho Falls, Linda (Dean) Mansfield of Midvale, UT and Dixie (Ron) Johnson of Milo, 38 grandchildren, and 36 great grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren and 9 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Madge; sisters, Bonnie Jean Johnson and Beth Tew; son, Bradley Rand; and grandchildren, David and Jennifer Johnson. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 21, 2006 at the Lincoln LDS Stake Center (2545 Mesa) with Bishop Christopher Brown officiating. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon) and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team. The family expresses their appreciation to Hospice of Eastern Idaho, the staff at Parkwood Meadows, Idaho Falls Health and Rehabilitation Center, the Post Register, and Wood Funeral Home and all those who lovingly shared their time and concern during the last days of our father’s illness. Thanks to the many faithful readers of his columns in the Post Register who have expressed their appreciation for his honest and folksy humor and his help in remembering how it really was. WENDY ROBINSON We just want to say take care and we love you! This is a difficult time and a time of renewed faith. Love to you and your family. Casey and Wendy Robinson, Hailey, Matthew and Sadie