Funeral services for Herbert Johnson will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2008 at Big Springs Baptist Church in rural Alcester, SD. Visitation will be Sunday at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester from 3:00-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Herbert Joel Johnson was born May 28, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois to father, Joel Johnson, who died before Herberts birth, and Ellen (Johnson) Johnson. He died July 3, 2008 in Sioux City, Iowa at the age of 93 years, one month and six days. At the age of four, his mother and Herbert left Chicago and came to Alcester, South Dakota. He attended Ring rural school and Alcester High School. Herbert served in the European Theater with the US Armys 90th Division during World War II where he was in active combat. His division landed on Omaha Beach in France on the second day of the invasion. He was in battles in Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland and received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action June 12, 1944. He served two years with the US Army Service and one year and eight months with the Foreign Service and was honorably discharged December 3, 1945. On October 22, 1943 Herbert married his sweetheart, Mary Ann Anderton. After serving his country, the couple farmed near Alcester, SD where he continued to live until his death. They celebrated 64 years and eight months of marriage. Herbert was a long time member of the Big Springs Baptist Church, rural Alcester, SD where he served as a trustee and usher a number of years. He loved the outdoors as evidenced by his occupation as a farmer and his hobbies of fishing, hunting and camping. Herb liked camping at Yankton, SD where he enjoyed to fish. The couple took many trips with their camper and visited many sights in the states. They spent several winters in Arizona and Texas. He loved the beautiful scenery and interesting places to visit. Herb was an avid reader and enjoyed reading about WWII. He was a member of the VFW. Among those who survive and gratefully shared his life are his wife; sons, Joel and his special friend, Carolyn Kemner of Hawarden, IA and Jerry and Cindy of rural Alcester, SD; six grandchildren, Jamie and Missy Johnson of LeMars, IA, Jeff and Julie Johnson of St. Louis, MO, Aaron Johnson of Yankton, SD, Aarika Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT, Andrew Johnson of Hawarden, IA and Brian Johnson of Alcester, SD; five great-grandchildren, Alec, Emily and Ian Johnson of LeMars, IA and Will and Carson Johnson of St. Louis, MO. Also surviving are his half-sister, June and Dwight Wilson of Orango, MO; half-brother, Lawerence and Evelyn Leafstedt of Alcester, SD; and his cousin, Lloyd and Olive Johnson of Alcester, SD. Herbert was preceded in death by his parents and his half-sister, Mary Jane Hart. Blessed be his memory and our memories of his love for his family.