WAYNE W. JOHNSON
Wayne W. Johnson, Sisseton, passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton.
Funeral Services were Monday, October 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Sisseton with Rev. Tom Mueller officiating. Music was provided by organist Clarice Arbach and guitarists Steve and Donn Johnson.
Burial was in the Sisseton Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post 50 of Sisseton and the Fort Sisseton VFW Post 3342. Honorary pallbearers were the employees and the gang from the 10-81 Steak House and Lounge and the staff at the Tekakwitha Living Center. Active pallbearers were Jake Johnson, Jackson Wickre, Rayden Boyenga, Steve Johnson, Donn Johnson, Mike Aadland, Tim Leverson, and Brian Leverson.
Visitation was Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt was in charge of the arrangements.
Wayne Wesley Johnson was born March 24, 1932, to Henry and Martha (Wolff) Johnson in Sisseton. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Sisseton.
Wayne attended grade school at Enterprise #1, where his dad had attended, and two of his sons would also attend. He completed the 8th grade and always regretted that he was unable to attend high school. Wayne farmed with his dad until 1953 when he entered the Army serving in Okinawa. After returning, he farmed until 1964.
Wayne married Patty Steiner on May 25, 1955. They have four children: David, Dean, Scott, and Gayle.
In 1968, Wayne purchased the 10-81 tavern, and in 1969 added on a very successful steakhouse that would be destroyed by fire in 1974. He later partnered with brothers Ronald and Rodney and opened the Brothers III Steakhouse and Lounge. In 1976, he purchased Sisseton Auto Parts that he and son David owned and operated for 38 years. During this time, he served on the Sisseton School Board for two terms. In 1980, he ran for Roberts County commissioner and was elected for four terms. While commissioner, he served on the executive board of the NE Council of Government. He was also appointed to the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners where he represented Marshall, Day, Grant, and Roberts counties. In 2014, Wayne and David sold Sisseton Auto Parts and Wayne retired.
Wayne and Patty continued to live on the farm until 2017 when they moved to Sisseton. The farm was designated as a Century Farm in 1993, and a Quasquicentennial Farm in 2018.
Wayne was one of the original members of the Harold Johnson Band and played with them for 25 years. In the 1980’s, Wayne held a Threshing Bee on his farm and continued to do so for several years. Wayne grew up driving John Deere tractors and eventually began collecting and restoring them. His collection of 38 tractors was sold at an auction in 2005. He presently has a large collection of toy tractors. Wayne worked hard all his life. His greatest asset was his ability to plan and get things done. No procrastination, do it now. He stood up for his beliefs and stepped on a few toes in the process. Wayne loved his family and always made sure the kids had plenty of pets. Over the years, many dogs, cats, rabbits, parakeets, and an aquarium showed up. He continued to enjoy the companionship of a dog until his loving dog Toby died this spring.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Patty; four children: David (Peggy) Johnson, Dean (Patty) Johnson, and Scott Johnson, all of Sisseton, and Gayle (Jon) Roeder of Rosholt; brother Rodney (Linda) Johnson; brother-inlaw Percy Aadland; sister-inlaw Paulette Johnson; four grandchildren: Machenzie (Mike) Wickre, Sarah Miller, Megan (and friend Tom Slater) Boyenga, and Jacob Johnson; three step-grandchildren: Rob (Larissa) Skjonsberg, Ronnie Skjonsberg, and Joni (Trent) Bestland; twelve great-grandchildren; and eleven step great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and stepfather Lawrence Lewis; his brothers Harold, Stanley (and wife Barb) and Ronald; his sister Elaine; and grandson-in-law Anthony Boyenga.