Obituary of R. Steven Johnson

R. Steven Johnson Newton Robert Steven "Steve" Johnson, 61, the son of Robert S. "Bob" and C. Kathryn "Kay" (Sullivan) Johnson, was born April 6, 1947 in Ottumwa, Iowa. Steve believed that being the son of a Swedish father (Johnson/Peterson) and an Irish mother (Sullivan/MacEldowny) who owned and operated the "Johnson Funeral Home" as he was growing up in Newton made for quite a childhood, - - yet another form of educational experience as Steve had said. . . A longtime resident of the Newton, Iowa area, he graduated from the Newton Senior High School Class of 1965, and was a 1969 graduate of Colorado State University with majors in business and economics. Steve received his Juris Doctorate Degree, with Honors, from Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1974 On July 20, 1968, Steve was united in marriage with Janet L. Herbold in Newton. Together, Janet and Steve had three fantastic children: R. Scott, Stephanie Herbold and Julie Anne. After graduating from Colorado State University, Steve and Janet lived two years in Glencoe, Minnesota, where Steve worked with the Green Giant Company and Janet worked as a nurse. After graduating from law school, Steve worked with many of Iowa's electric cooperatives while with a law firm in Des Moines now known as Sullivan & Ward before setting out on his own and moving back to the old home town of Newton in 1978. Steve served as an Assistant Jasper County Attorney, an attorney in private practice dealing primarily in real estate and utility project development and financing, served seven years as Jasper County Magistrate, and most recently has served as Jasper County Attorney since 1995. Steve had devoted his life to his family and community; and was a member of the First Lutheran Church. He enjoyed his family, friendships and fishing, which were his passions in life. The Soul of Steve's left its Earthly runway on Wednesday morning, Feb. 18, 2009 at his home in Newton. He was preceded in death by his father, Bob Johnson. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Those left to honor Steve's memory include his wife Janet; his son, R. Scott (Stacey) Johnson of Des Moines; his daughters: Stephanie Herbold (Ryan) Wynne of Clive and Julie Anne Johnson of Windsor Heights; four (thus far.) of the greatest grandchildren of all times: Aly Wynne, Matthew Wynne, Scotty Wynne and Anna Johnson; his mother, Kay Johnson of Newton; a brother, Chris Johnson of Des Moines; his sisters: Marsha (Rich) Scherubel of Gladstone, Missouri; Sue (Chuck) Mahan of Two Rivers, Wisconsin and Barb (Denny) Bewyer of Iowa City; and his many good neighbors, friends and co-workers. A memorial service for Steve, will be held 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the First Lutheran Church in Newton. Family will greet friends at a fellowship time at the church following the memorial services In LIEU of flowers: memorials in Steve's name are being designated: for the Jasper County Drug Endangered Children (a program initiated through the office of the Jasper County Attorney by a cross-section of caring law enforcement and health-care professionals,--would be sincerely appreciated; or to the Charity of your choice.