RALPH  S.  JOHNSON , 100, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away Friday afternoon, September 17, 2021 in the Cherokee Regional Medical Center.

Graveside services with military rites will be held on Saturday, September 25 ^th , at 1:30 p.m. at the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa. These services will be open to the public to attend. Military rites will be conducted by the U.S. Navy with the assistance of L.A. Wescott Post #2253 of the V.F.W. and the Cherokee American Legion. There will be no visitation. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Ralph was born on April 12, 1921 to Axel and Bertha (Pedersen) Johnson at Washta, Iowa.  He attended Washta Schools, graduating in 1938.  He then attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. to become a master diesel mechanic for his service in the Navy.  Ralph enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country during WWII from 1942 until 1946 as a Motor Machinist's Mate First Class.

He was united in marriage to Elna Krull on February 24, 1948 at Sac City, Iowa.  He had worked as a mechanic for the Le Mars Chevy Garage, was co-owner of Skelly Gas Station in LeMars, Iowa, owned and operated Ralph's Place in Holstein, and delivered auto parts for Brown Auto Supply in Cherokee until retiring in the 1980's.

Ralph was affiliated with the Lutheran church. He had lived in LeMars  1948-1958; Holstein 1958-1974; Sutherland  1974-2005, and in Cherokee  2005 until present.

Ralph remained connected to fellow servicemen by being active in the American Legion, V.F.W. and Amvets.  In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and boating, fixing any motor that needed repairs, and woodworking.  He and his wife Elna loved dancing to big band music and attending polka festivals.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elna, two brothers Arnold and Palmer Johnson.

Ralph is survived by his two children: Linda (Marc) Sommerfeld of LeMars, Iowa and Robert Johnson of Corpus Christi, Texas; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sister Bernice Baker of Lexington, Missouri.