Michael “Swede” Johnson

Michael “Swede” D. Johnson, 69, of Waukon entered his eternal rest May 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by family after a three-plus year battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 31 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Father Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Hanover. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Michael Dee Johnson was born January 2, 1956, the son of Leonard and Paulyne Johnson, in Waterloo. Michael and his family made their home on a farm near Shell Rock for five years. The family later moved to Lehigh, where Michael completed his high school education.

He then began a career with Granger Motors near Des Moines, where he built custom vans and worked alongside his brother, Mitch. Michael then worked at Osmundson Manufacturing for 26-plus years; from a coworker, “Michael was a jack of all trades. Anything you asked him to do, he would do it.

He made everyone’s life easier from being detail oriented, organized, reliable, and just a great guy.” He was also a supervisor for 150 people for ten-plus years.

Michael’s artistic instincts and hands-on skill served him well across every job he held. Michael not only built an air compressor from the ground up that he called “Big Johnson,” but also crafted his own chopper motorcycle, showcasing both his creativity and mechanical skill.

To know “Swede” was to love him. You might wonder where the name “Swede” came from? That is a story for another day. After a recent scan, when the results were not favorable, Swede pointed to the heavens and stated, “My divine physician knows.” Swede did not try to win one over, but displayed his authentic self and was kind, organized, and joy-filled with a humbled spirit.

Swede was not afraid to share the source of his joy and one of his favorite scriptures is John 14:8: “If God is all you have, you have all you need!” He recognized the countless miracles that occurred during this difficult journey. During the difficult moments, he endured with much grace.

Swede was grateful for his team of healthcare providers, and all who cared for and who offered prayers and support.

Michael married Vickie Lambert and later divorced. He married Linda Steadman; she entered her eternal rest December 27, 2017. February 2, 2022, Michael married Kathleen Farley. Michael was a devoted husband who was Kathleen’s rock of faith, strength, peace, and understanding, and most of all, unconditional love whose smile was radiant and contagious. Michael was a homebody and his favorite trips were to Galena, IL, and Dubuque.

Kathleen stated, “Michael was one in a million to me. Michael had my heart from the start, and he was my rock! I clung onto Michael through his journey. Michael woke up with a smile, even on difficult days, and greeted me with, ‘Good morning, beautiful.’ In those short years, we enjoyed each other’s company at meals, cooking together, driving through the country, mowing, and trimming our yard and my parents’ yard. Michael’s work was immaculate and done to perfection. We planted tomatoes, his specialty. We danced to our favorite tunes in the living room; we enjoyed laughter. We watched Michael’s favorite show, ‘The Chosen,’ most Sundays.”

He loved westerns and would read scriptures daily. Michael joined the bible study group God’s Bros and appreciated the prayers and support. Michael means “Godly one”; psalm 4:3: “But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself.”

Michael is survived by his wife, Kathleen Farley-Johnson; two children: Jessica (David) Carlson and Amber (Brian) Impecoven; three step-children: Happy Ellett, Keith (Stacy) Palmer, and Kris (Andy) Walker; four grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; nine great-step-grandchildren; two brothers, Randy Johnson and Mitch (Charlotte) Johnson; a niece; his father-in-law, Paul Farley, who he called dad, and mother-in-law, Mary Farley, who he called mom; seven brothers-in-law, who he referred to as brothers: Mike (Mindy) Farley, Joe (Rhonda) Farley, Mark (Teresa) Severson, John (Carmen) Farley, James (Julie) Farley, Tim (Ann Marie) Raleigh, and Thomas (Jodi) Farley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Paulyne Johnson; his previous spouse, Linda; two brothers, Danny and Scott Johnson; his stepson-in-law, Harry Ellett; and a nephew, Jayson Johnson.

Michael will be missed by many that were lucky enough to know him.

During this incredibly difficult time, we thank you for your love and support, your acts of kindness and generosity, for being our angels in disguise, and most of all for the prayers you have offered us as friends, neighbors and community.

Sincerely,
Kathleen (Kate) Farley Johnson, and the Farley and Johnson extended families... In loving memory of Michael