Lester Johnson

Lester Emanuel Johnson, 87, of Oakland died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at Oakland Mercy Hospital.

He was born March 13, 1921, in Oakland to Victor and Bessie (Carlson) Johnson. Lester was baptized and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland. In 1942, Lester joined the U.S. Army. He was decorated with a Purple Heart for injuries he received in the European Theater of Operations during World War II, serving from Utah Beach all the way into Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Lester was a lifetime member of Ryan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5543 and the American Legion Post 46.

Following the service, he married Doris Smith. They had two sons: Lester Brian and Rex Allen. The marriage ended in 1953.

On April 12, 1962, Lester married Loretta (Nielsen) Nichols in Madison. Loretta had two daughters: Margene and Vicky. They began their married life in Oakland, where for 41 years, Lester owned and operated Oakland Transfer. He was the major freight transporter for several merchants in Oakland and the surrounding communities. He was well known by all. He then sold his freight rights and joined Agland CO-OP, now known as CVA, in Oakland. He was the warehouse manager, better known as “Tin Shed” Johnson. He retired from CO-OP in 1987.

Survivors include: his wife, Loretta of Oakland; sons and daughter-in-law, Lester, Rex and Joy, all of Tacoma, Wash.; daughters and son-in-law: Margene and Ron Swenson, and Vicky Nichols, all of Oakland; eight grandchildren, David (Nola) Swenson of Hooper, Ron (Christi) Swenson Jr. of El Dorado Hills, Calif., Chris (Melanie) Swenson of Craig, Matthew (Sally) Urbanec of Plainfield, Ill., Michael Nichols of Oakland, Kristian Johnson of Florida, Rex (Karen) Johnson and Kari (Scott) White, all of Tacoma; 13 great grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Janet Johnson and family of Greeley, Colo., Betty Nielsen and family of Elk Creek and Joye Heaton and family of South Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Victor Johnson Jr.; and grandson, Scott Eugene Swenson.

Lester was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland with the Rev. Mark Eldal officiating. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Tuesday at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery with military honors by Ryan VFW Post 5543 and American Legion Post 46.

Memorials have been established to Tree of Love at Oakland Mercy Hospital and Oakland Rescue Squad.