Edward Reuben Johnson

Ed was born on January 19, 1937, in Daggett, to Edward and Myrtle (Swanson) Johnson. He lived his entire life in the same house. After graduating from Stephenson High School in 1955, he studied education at Northern Michigan, where he graduated in 1959. He then taught at Stephenson Area Schools for 17 years, after which he sold insurance through Michigan Farm Bureau for 20 years. During this time, he always faithfully dairy farmed.

Ed married the love of his life, Vernice (Lindquist) on August 24, 1968. For nearly 56 years, they made a great team — parenting three children, serving in various church ministries, working on the farm, and opening their home in warm hospitality. A lifelong member of Central Baptist Church, Ed served as both a dependable deacon and a beloved Sunday School teacher, known for being gentle, kind, and strong. He was a nurturer — carefully tending his gardens and talking often about his flowers and fruit trees.

Ed will long be remembered for his contributions to Michigan agriculture, having worked most of his life on the family farm — Johnson Farms, established in 1899. He served on many boards and committees, including the Menominee County Dairy Herd Improvement Association, the Menominee County FSA Board, the Menominee County Farm Bureau, the Upper Peninsula Holstein Association, and the Michigan Farm Bureau’s state policy development committee.

With an unwavering commitment to dairy farming, Ed poured his heart into his work, cultivating not just crops and livestock, but a legacy of hard work and community care. His dedication and tireless efforts leave a deep impact on the farming community, inspiring future generations of farmers to continue his example of perseverance and stewardship.

Despite a long list of well-deserved achievements and awards in the farming industry, Ed’s greatest joy and longest legacy is his family, whom he dearly loved. He is survived by his wife Vernice, his sister Eunice (James) Svinicki (Stephenson, Mich.), his son David (Tammy) Johnson (Daggett, Mich.), Lance (Violet) Johnson (Stephenson, Mich.), Heidi (Benjamin) Cummins (Stephenson, Mich.), Christian (Maisy) Johnson (Daggett, Mich.), son Dennis (Sara) Johnson (Daggett, Mich.), Alexis (Jonah) Bueltel (Naples, Fla.), Karlina (Caleb) Hockema (Daggett, Mich.), Kelsey (Andrew) Stevens (Watertown, Wis.), Emily (Noah) Gorzinski (Stephenson, Mich.), Melissa Johnson (Daggett, Mich.); and daughter Melanie (Jerome) Sardina (Iron Mountain, Mich.), Hayden (Laura) Sardina (Goshen, Ind.), Madelyne Sardina (Indianapolis, Ind.), Ava Sardina (Iron Mountain, Mich.). He is also loved by 16 great-grandchildren, as well as many extended family members and friends, including his close friend and cousin Mary Ellen Olson, a bonus daughter Sandy Pell, and a bonus grandson Matt Nelson.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents.

His family will forever be grateful that Papa Ed taught them the value of hard work, the importance of church, and the priority of love for God and each other. They wish to thank Dr. Carlson and the Hospice Team for their care, as well as the farm crew for getting the crops harvested and planted during this difficult time.

A visitation will be held on June 7,- from 4 to 8 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, followed by additional visitation on June 8 at 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Luke Priebe officiating, and a meal will follow: E703 River Road, Stephenson. Burial will take place on Monday, June 10 in the Central Baptist Church Cemetery in Daggett. Anderson Diehm Funeral Home is assisting the Johnson family with arrangements.

A memorial fund has been established by the family.