Roland Johnson

Roland Alfred Johnson, 88 years, of Hershey, NE, passed away at home with his family by his side on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Roland was the first child born to Lloyd Elmer and Melba Elvira Johnson on October 19, 1926, on the family dairy farm northwest of Hershey. He attended O'Fallons School, graduating from O'Fallons High School in 1944. Roland later attended Luther College in Wahoo, NE where he earned an Associates of Arts Degree and was valedictorian of his class in 1949. On November 10, 1946, Roland married Margaret Carlson of Pennsylvania at McKeesport, PA. They made their home on a dairy farm northwest of Hershey, where they raised four children, Christine, Amy, Renae and Tim, and have resided ever since. Roland and Margaret celebrated over 68 years of marriage and enjoyed their life on the farm, which included the annual spring migration of thousands of sandhill cranes onto their alfalfa and corn fields. Roland was an active member of Maria Lutheran Church in Hershey and the First Presbyterian Church in North Platte, serving on various boards. He was also a lay pastor and preached in many communities. Roland was active in the Hershey community by serving on the boards of various groups which included Riverside Cemetery, Mid-America Dairymen, Paxton-Hershey Water Company and Nebraska Water Users, and many others. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Hershey; children, Christine (John) Buller, of Hesston, KS, Amy (Pastor Mike) Williams, of Kerrville, TX, Pastor Renae Johnson, of Lincoln, NE, and Tim (Terri) Johnson, of Hershey; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Frances (Don) Force, of Claremont, CA; brother-in-law, Richard Anderson, of Fort Collins, CO; sisters-in-law, Cathryn (Ernie) Bodo, of Troy, OH, Ruth Schweitzer, of Belle Vernon, PA, and Doris Carlson, of Pittsburgh, PA; and many nieces, nephews and other family. Roland was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Melba; and a sister, Eleanor Anderson. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Polly Deppen-Williams officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in the Riverside Cemetery northwest of Hershey. The casket will be open for family viewing only. The memorial book can be signed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore or online at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Maria Lutheran Church or the First Presbyterian Church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.