Merlin Johnson

Merlin “Merl” Johnson, age 82, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Dani Jo Bierwagen officiating. Burial will be in the Hartington City Cemetery in Hartington, Nebraska. Visitation is from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, with a prayer service at 7:30 PM.

Merlin “Merl” Johnson was born July 25, 1943, at his home in Laurel, Nebraska, to Floyd and Gertrude (Doescher) Johnson. He grew up in Laurel, Nebraska and graduated from Laurel High School in 1960. He then went on to receive his degree in Diesel Mechanics from Milford Tech School. He married Doris Walton on December 2, 1962, and they then moved to Hartington, Nebraska. While in Hartington, Merl worked for Gerry Miller Implement, Konken Implement and then owned and operated Johnson 66 from 1978 to 1990. He then moved to Edgar, Nebraska and worked for Beck’s Farm Equipment, where he serviced the Sandy Creek buses, vehicles and tractors. He then moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, and worked for Toner’s Case Implement until 2005 and then began working for Oil Dealers until moving to Yankton, South Dakota in July of 2008.

Merl was a former member of Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island, Nebraska and was also a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and Tri-State Antique Club in Yankton. He loved tractors and enjoyed working on his antique tractors and peddle tractors, as well as polka dancing.

Survivors include his three children: Wayne (Sheila) Johnson of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska; Bryan (Tammy) Johnson of Uriah, Alabama; and Shelley (Rod) McNatt of Yankton, South Dakota; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and two sisters, Karen Johnson of Hastings, Nebraska and LaNae (Jerry) Brasch of Lincoln, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Gertrude Johnson.