Johnson, Wallace Frank

Wallace Frank Johnson, 82, son of Frank Augusta and Marie TC Johnson, died Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, as a result of injuries suffered from an automobile accident. Funeral services for “Wally” will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at the United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon. Friends may call one hour before the service. Burial, with military honors, will follow the service at Mount Vernon Cemetery. There will be a luncheon at the church following the service and burial.

Surviving Wallace is the love of his life, Janice, with whom he celebrated 53 years of marriage. He also leaves a daughter, Heather (Todd) Funk, Winona, Minn.; son, Larry (Robin) Johnson, Bozeman, Mont; and five grandchildren, Taylor, Alexander, Ennis, Ella and Andrew.

Wallace was born Aug. 30, 1928, in St. Paul, Minn., the son of Frank and Marie Johnson. He grew up in the St. Paul area and later moved to Grove City, Minn., in the sixth grade because of a terrible accident involving his father. He graduated from the local high school in 1946. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed his basic training in the San Antonio, Texas area. He went on to serve our country at Air Force bases in Anchorage, Alaska, Prescott, Maine, Tooley, Greenland, and Minneapolis, Minn. Wallace married Janice West on Nov. 2, 1957, in Minneapolis. His daughter, Heather, was born in 1959 when they next went to the base in Plattsburg, N.Y. His son Larry joined them in 1962 when they moved on to the base at Rapid City, S.D. He retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service in 1968. He and his family relocated to Mount Vernon, Iowa, with the plan to manage his wife's family's movie business, “The Strand.”. Wallace then secured a job with the United States Postal Service in Cedar Rapids.

His former co-workers fondly remember him as a very humorous and happy fellow. Wallace retired from the Postal Service after 20 years of service in 1990. He enjoyed his retirement years in his beloved Mount Vernon community. Wallace enjoyed fishing trips back to his childhood state of Minnesota, along with spending time with family and friends. He loved strolling for miles along the streets of Mount Vernon with his dogs and encountering friends to visit with.

Cornell College events and activities and local high school sports were always highlights for Wallace. Most recently, he enjoyed his table and chair at the local gas station where candy and pop sales always increased when he dropped by to visit.

Serving those in need was important to Wallace and he served hundreds of hours as a volunteer for the Iowa City Veterans hospital, as well as for the American Legion. He simply found joy in listening and sharing with others wherever he was, but especially in the town of Mount Vernon, where he resided for over 40 years.

The family would like to thank the community for all their kindness and care in the last few years of his life, especially neighbors, police, fire and ambulance services, doctors and loving health care workers in Mount Vernon and St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids.

Wallace was a kind and loving man who will be missed by all whose lives he touched with a smile or caring gesture.

Memorials may be made in Wallace's behalf to Southeast Linn Community Center, Lisbon, IA 52253.