Mass of Christian Burial for Gary L. Johnson, 83, of Estherville, will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville with Father Brian Feller, celebrant. Gary passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on Jan. 11, 2026.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, Gary’s family requests memorials to the Estherville Ambulance Service.
Gary Lee Johnson, son of Lester and Viola (Chism) Johnson was born on December 23, 1942 in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
He grew up on a farm and was active in 4-H showing steers at the county fair.
He enjoyed music and was a clarinet player in the school band and sang in the school chorus, church choir and later in The Many Voices Chorus in Estherville.
He played baseball and basketball in school.
He graduated from Rodman High School in 1961, and from Buena Vista College in 1965.
December 28, 1963, he was united in marriage to Madonna Erpelding. They lived in Storm Lake, IA, later Waukee, IA, and in 1973 moved to Estherville, IA.
He was a people person and liked working in sales. He especially enjoyed lumberyard management and helping people with building and remodeling projects. He returned to the family farm in 1997 and farmed for 10 years.
He frequently went on antique tractor rides around the countryside, took yearly deer hunting trips to Idaho, fishing in northern Minnesota where he caught his big walleye and golfing several times a week. He was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan and made several trips to Wrigley Field to see them play. In retirement he wintered in Weslaco, TX spending time golfing, playing and coaching Senior Softball, card games, following college basketball and football, and social time with friends and neighbors. His cottage on Spirit Lake was the highlight of his summers.
Gary is survived by his wife of 62 years Madonna of Estherville; children: Gregory (Lana) Johnson of Tomahawk, WI; Jay (Kristy) Johnson of Watertown, SD; Jacqueline (Louis) English of Evanston, IL; Ann (Anthony) Infusino of Palatine, IL 10 grandchildren: Melody (Cody) Egan, Kelsey (Tyler) Kothe, Benjamin Johnson, Justin (Morgan) Johnson, Danika (Jon) Burros, Lauren (Collin) Dott, Grant English, Julia English, Dominic Infusino, Gianna Infusino; six great grandchildren: Jackson and Emily Egan, Deegan Kothe, Reagan and Baylor Johnson, Baker Burros.
He is preceded in death by his parents, in-law parents, granddaughter Mekela Johnson and Erpelding Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law.
Online condolences may be left for Gary’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com.
