Michel Duane Johnson

Michel Duane Johnson was born on January 14, 1957 in Denver, Colorado to Duane and Betsy Ann Johnson. He grew in Denver and Butler, New Jersey where he graduated from Butler High School in 1976. Soon after, Mike enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country for 2 years as a missile mechanic at the F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As a young boy, Mike enjoyed working on muscle cars and participating in football, track and wrestling. Mike married Lisa Rogert on June 2, 1979 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Valley, Nebraska and they were blessed with three children: Travis, Kyle and Carlee. Mike and Lisa have made their home in the Valley/Waterloo area. Mike and Lisa renewed their vows on September 5, 2009 in Sturgis, South Dakota. Mike has worked as a truck driver for Hartford/Lyman-Richey, had his own mobile auto A/C repair business, building manager at Shellrock and for the past 5 years at Valmont. He enjoyed being outside boating, 4-wheeling, riding his motorcycle and spending time with family and friends. Mike spent endless hours in his shop working on his grandfather’s 1959 Willy’s Jeep and taking it on wood rides and various off-trek adventures. Mike was a social butterfly and as his father-in-law always said. “Mike could talk for two hours on a wrong number.” After a phone call, he would always look at the timer on his phone to see how long he was on the phone and was quite proud if it ran long. Mike was a great husband, son, father, brother and grandfather. He was often seen in his signature Key overall, with the side buttons undone for maximum comfort. Mike passed away as a result of a motorcycle accident on July 4, 2012 in Little Rock, Arkansas with his family at his side at the age of 55 years, 5 months and 20 days. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Wilbur Wayrick, Theresa Wayrick, Ralph Johnson, Wilma Johnson and Polly Rogert; father Duane Johnson; sister Sharon Johnson and brother-in-law Rod Rogert. Mike is survived by his wife Lisa; children: Travis (Julie) Johnson of Omaha, Kyle (Regina) Johnson of Valley and Carlee (Steve) Donley of Waterloo; grandchildren: Braxton and Alexis Donley; mother Betsy Ann Johnson and her fiancée Tom Walker of New Mexico; sister Lesa Lee (Mitch) Poehling of Valley; aunt Jean McVay of Lakewood, Colorado; and cousin Rob McVay of Lakewood, Colorado. Johnson, Michel age 55 of Waterloo, NE Preceded in death by grandparents Wilbur Wayrick, Theresa Wayrick, Ralph Johnson, Wilma Johnson and Polly Rogert. Father Duane Johnson. Sister Sharon Johnson and brother-in-law Rod Rogert; Survived by wife Lisa; Children Travis (Julie) Johnson of Omaha, Kyle (Regina) Johnson of Valley and Carlee (Steve) Donley of Waterloo; grandchildren Braxton and Alexis Donley; mother Betsy Ann Johnson and fiancée Tom Walker of New Mexico; sister Lesa Lee (Mitch) Poehling of Valley; Aunt Jean Mc Vay of Lakewood, CO; cousin Rob McVay of Lakewood, CO; Gathering with the family on Monday from 5:30 to 8 PM. Memorial Service Tuesday 10:30 AM all at the funeral home. Inurnment Prospect Hill Cemetery. Memorials to Make-A-Wish or Nebraska Humane Society. Condolences to www.reichmuthfuneralhomes.com Reichmuth Funeral Home 21901 W. Maple Rd. 402-289-2222

Michel Duane Johnson

January 14, 1957 - July 4, 2012