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Walter Johnson
WALTER "WALLY" JOHNSON
Hopkinton
Wally, 69, left his bodily worries behind on Feb. 15, 2017, due to kidney failure and other complications.
The only child born to Helen Maxine (McGlade) and Walter Vego Johnson on Nov. 12, 1947, he was reared in Hopkinton, Iowa, where he enjoyed his childhood on the family farm until he moved into the city after the fourth grade.
After graduation in 1965 from Maquoketa Valley High School, he received a business administration degree in 1969 from the University of Iowa. He furthered his academic career, graduating in 1972 from Drake Law School.
Wally attempted to be an effective bureaucrat and attorney, and was deputy commissioner of the Iowa Division of Labor Iowa Workforce Development during nearly 30 years of service. He oversaw many legal issues and the devolvement and implementation of labor and safety standards for the state, hazardous material training, wage payment claims collection for Iowa workers, elevator safety and for safe amusement park rides (You're welcome, Iowa State Fair midway thrill seekers!). He spoke to thousands of Iowans on the issues pertaining to employment.
One of his lasting legacies was his mentoring for over 20 Drake law students – he guided and taught many legal "tricks of the trade," particularly with issues involving government entities, which helped enable all to successful careers.
He was a founding member of Cross Ministries in Des Moines and had a great love for gardening with annual and perennial flowers decorating his home. He was a ginormous Hawkeye fan and welcomed many to his home and always had plenty to drink and eat. He discovered a great passion for his dogs, Dakota and Cullen.
He was a devoted son to his mother, and is survived by maternal cousins, Paul Stevenson of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Linda Stevenson Brown of Longmont, Colo.; paternal cousins, Linda Spaight Savage of Coralville, Diane Spaight Geinapp of Manchester and Rosanne Eilch of Houston, Texas; and many friends spread throughout the nation.
He would like to thank the care he received by doctors and nurses at Mercy and Methodist hospitals, the Urbandale Care facility and St. Croix Hospice.
Information and online condolences may be placed at www.desmoinescremation.com.
Contributions may be made to the Hopkinton Historical Museum, the city of Hopkinton for fire and safety utilization, or Cross Ministries.
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