JOHNSON, Waldo H.

Waldo H. Johnson, 96, of Wayne died Sunday, May 12, 2013 at Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel. Services will be held Thursday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne. The Rev. Bob Oleson will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. with family present at Hasemann Funeral Home in Wayne. Waldo H. Johnson was born Oct. 26, 1916, at Wakefield to Roy E. and Amy (Peterson) Johnson. He was baptized in Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord. Waldo graduated from Concord High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State College, and master’s degree from the University Of Nebraska. He spent 42 years in education in northeast Nebraska, was a teacher and basketball coach in Dixon, and Superintendent of Schools in Dixon, Concord, and 28 years in Wausa. He was active in many educational organizations and received many honors, including the N.S.A.A. Distinguished Service Award in 1981. Upon his retirement, he was honored to have the Wausa Public Schools Gymnasium named after him. Waldo married Anita Erwin on June 2, 1940, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord. In 1952, they moved from Concord to Wausa, where they raised their family and were active members of Thabor Lutheran Church. The couple retired to Wayne and were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Survivors include his son, Dennis Johnson of Denver, Colo. and daughter, Barb (Gene) Starmer of Omaha; two grandchildren, Jenna (Adam) Erb and Jeff (Heather) Starmer; four great-grandchildren, Ava, Jael, Bennett, and Brady; brother, Alden (Helen) Johnson of Walnut Creek, Calif.; brother-in-law, Verdel Erwin of Concord; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: wife, Anita in 2004; brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Irene) Johnson; three sisters-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald Gunderson, Bob Baker, Jeff Starmer, Adam Erb, Dan Johnson and Mark Johnson. Active pallbearers will be Rich Erwin, Rod Erwin, Tom Erwin, Steve Erwin, Brad Erwin and Veldon Magnuson. Burial will be in Concord Cemetery at Concord. Memorials may be directed to the family. Hasemann Funeral Home in Wayne is in charge of arrangements.