Vernon K. Johnson, 87, of Oakland, died Friday, Sept. 1, 2000, at the Oakland Memorial Hospital in Oakland.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 5, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland. The Rev. Mark Eldal officiated. Interment was at the Oakland Cemetery.

Vernon K. Johnson was born on Sept. 16, 1912, in rural Uehling to Herman and Minnie (Koehler) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Elim Lutheran Church (Swaburg) and attended school in rural Uehling area. He worked as a farm hand until 1939.

On June 7, 1939, he married Lillian Schroeder at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Scribner. They moved to Oakland, where he was employed as a tank man for Burt County Oil, head-quartered in Tekamah.

Mr. Johnson later worked for Farmer’ Union, Enstrom Freight Lines, and also owned an operated the Hillside Dairy route in Oakland and Lyons.

In 1947, he became the tank man for Holmquist Grain and Lumber, where he was employed for 30 years. He retired in 1977.

Following the retirement, he assisted at Palmquist Funeral Home and, for several years, he and Bill Enstrom were caretakers of the Oakland Cemetery, the First Lutheran Church grounds, and many lawns in Oakland.

In 1939, Mr. Johnson transferred his membership from Elim Lutheran Church in Oakland. He served on the Church Council, and as head usher for many years. He and his wife, Lillian, were financial secretaries for eight years.

Mr. Johnson served on the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department for 28 years, five of those years are Fire Chief.

Mr. Johnson was good example for his children and grandchildren. He was a friend to many and a great competitor to his special buddies in bowling, golf or a friendly game of pinochle.

Borth Vernon and his cousin, Donald Johnson, were Nebraska State Doubles Bowling Champions in 1957. He loved music and cherished wonderful memories of his dancing days.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian; daughters and son-in-law, Sharon and Glenn Krueger of Bursnville, Minn., Janet and Dr, Richard Reckmeyer of Peoria, Ariz., five grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth H. Johnson of Uehling, and a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Wallace, and sister, Lorna Dorfmeyer.

Memorials are suggested to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oakland Memorial Hospital, or the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department.