Verne W. Johnson, 83, passed away on June 26, 2018 at Rapid City Regional Hospice of the Hills after a short illness. He was born January 26, 1935 to August ‘Lefty’ and Hazel (Ryan) Johnson in Lake Andes, SD. Verne’s father was a salesman, which offered Verne the opportunity to see many parts of the United States.

Verne married Arlene Holzwarth on November 4, 1955 at Johannestal Church in Freeman, SD. They started their married life in Yankton, SD where Verne worked for WNAX Radio for 4 years. They then moved to Bellevue, Nebraska where Verne worked as a civilian artist for Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha. In 1967, he moved his family to Rapid City and worked as a civilian artist for Ellsworth Air Force Base for 32 years. He was a very talented and gifted artist and loved doing artwork for his job, family, friends and the church.

Verne is survived by his wife of 63 years, Arlene; two sons, David (Donna) and Brian (Darlene) Johnson all of Rapid City; five grandchildren, who he was so proud of; his sister Ione Ballentine from Yankton and his nieces and nephews. Verne loved his family and his dogs Simon and Sadie.