Funeral services for Clifton Johnson will be at 2PM on Monday, July 6th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with the family present from 6-8PM and a prayer service at 7PM.

Clifton Hillmore Johnson of Beresford, and former Hudson area farmer died July 3, 2009 at Bethesda of Beresford. Clifton was born October 15, 1918 in Alsen, South Dakota to Allen and Marie (Erickson) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at Dalesburg Lutheran Church and attended Newdale and Cleveland rural schools.

Clifton did farm labor in the Beresford community and also worked with his brothers doing carpentry and painting in the area. Clifton was employed as a hired man for the Oliver Anderson family in the Moe Parish community prior to his entry into the US Army on October 16, 1942. He was honorably discharged with distinction on November 26, 1945 after serving in the China-Burma-India Theatres during World War II.

Clifton was united in marriage on February 25, 1951 to (Clara) Lucille Paulsen of Beresford. They farmed 10 miles northeast of Beresford where Clifton enjoyed farming and did the occasional carpentry and painting work as side jobs. He retired from farming in 1995. Clifton was a 65 year member of the Beresford VFW Post 2975 and American Legion Post 72. He was a past commander of the Beresford VFW. Clifton was a past member of Romsdal Lutheran Church where he held many church offices as a well as a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Sundy Rural School #25 School Board and the Lincoln County Weed Board. Clifton enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading and watching baseball. He loved nature and missed farm life when he moved into Beresford in 1999.

Clifton is survived by his three children, Marsha Johnson of Eagan, MN, Lee (Lori) Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD and Kay (Juan) Ortegon of McAllen, TX; six grandchildren, Luke (Stacey) Johnson of Avon, MN, Lonnie Johnson of Hawarden, IA, Lynise Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD, Alissa (Jerry) Karsky of Baltic, SD, and Matthew Ketterling and Adam Ketterling both of Sioux Falls, SD; two great-granddaughters, Taylor Ann Karsky and Ella Lee Johnson.

His wife, Lucille, parents, Allen and Marie Johnson, sister, Viola Jensen and five brothers, Virgil, Melvin, Wayne, Lloyd and Royal preceded him in death.