Oscar J. Johnson

He was born on Aug. 4, 1929, on his grandparents’ farm to the late Charles Oscar and Glyde (Langsford) Johnson. Oscar graduated from Kingsford High School in 1946. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps, serving two years during the Korean War.

He married his sweetheart, Madaline Flatka, while home on leave. Oscar always said he knew on the first date that he was going to marry her. The couple happily resided in Twin Falls for almost 72 years. Following his honorable discharge from the military, Oscar took a mechanic position at Rudd Lundholm’s Standard Service Station where he worked for almost 31 years with his best pals, Rudd and Rudy. When the station closed, he went on to work at Olson’s Standard Service Station for seven years until his retirement at age 62.

After retirement he pursued numerous projects that piqued his interests. He became an excellent cook, trying new recipes. Oscar took up quilting, made rag rugs on a loom, and enjoyed researching family history. He became a skilled furniture maker and carved wooden birds and figurines. Oscar and Madaline traveled and visited their son and family in Europe, touring Germany, the Netherlands, and Paris.

In their younger days, Oscar and Madaline loved to square dance and he was a past president of the U.P. Square Dance Association. He also loved being outdoors but Oscar’s favorite past-time was being with his precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Oscar left all of us with many life lessons and great stories about days gone by on the farm. To him, family and friends were his treasures. He made sure to never end a day without a kind word, a smile. and an “I love you.”

Oscar is survived by his loving wife, Madaline; daughter, Susan Nelson (Ken Angle); son, David (Christie) Johnson; and “bonus kids” Bob (Sherry) Johnson. He is further survived by his grandchildren , Matthew (Ann) Nelson, Erik (Kristin) Nelson, Lindsey (Andy) Otradovec, Rebecca (Nathan) Skalsky, and Katherine Johnson (Pat Rafail); great-grandchildren, Olivia, Samuel Oscar, and Gabriel Nelson, Connor, Alaina, and Alex Nelson, Brody, Hudson, and Knox Otradovec, Emma, Sofia, and Amelia Skalsky, Una and Miriam Johnson-Rafail; brothers-in-law, Bill and Doug Flatka; sisters-in-law, Nancy Lindberg, Violet Flatka, and Pat Flatka; and nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Charles and Glyde; sister, Mary E. Johnson; and his son-in-law, Terry Nelson.

Oscar was sharp-minded and strong-willed to the end. Now he is guiding us all from a better place.

Per Oscar’s wishes, a private family celebration will be held at a later date.

His family would like to thank Dr. Beth Schroeder and Dr, Matthias Fuchs for their wonderful care over the years and the staff from Northwoods Hospice, particularly Brandi and Amanda, for their compassionate care at the end.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Oscar J. Johnson online at www.ernashtuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with arrangements.