Wayne Keith Johnson

Wayne Keith Johnson

Blairstown

Wayne Keith Johnson, 80, of Blairstown died on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Colonial Manor, Amana. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Lutheran Church, Blairstown, by Pastor Jeff Schanbacher. Friends may visit with the family on Monday at the church from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Tuesday after 9:30 a.m. Burial will be held at a later date at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown. Van Steenhuyse Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol; son, Bryan (Annette) Johnson of Blairstown; two daughters, Lori (Marlon) Blaha of Solon and Niki (Nate) Frese of Norway; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his brother, Don Johnson of Blairstown; and nephews, Tim (Carrie) Johnson, Chad (Jessica) Johnson and their families.

Wayne was preceded in death by his son, Bradley Johnson; parents, Kenneth and Florence Johnson; and grandparents, Elias and Gertrude Risdal Johnson and Henry and Martha Rieck Schultz.

Wayne was born on Aug, 3, 1942 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Kenneth and Florence Schultz Johnson. He graduated from Blairstown High School in 1960. Wayne married Carol Scheetz on Sept. 1, 1963, at Grace Lutheran Church, Blairstown. Wayne was a proud veteran serving in the United States Army from 1962 to 1968 during the Vietnam War Era. He started his career at Nissen Trampoline, after a few short years he moved to Collins Radio where he worked in the procurement quality assurance department and later retired after 40-plus years. During that time at Collins he spent many years traveling worldwide and enjoyed the dining-out experiences of the cultures he visited.

Wayne was a pitcher for many fast pitch softball leagues in the Eastern Iowa area for over 30 years. He played on teams such as Blairstown, Superior Motors, CR Merchants, Mr. Perfect, Vigortone, Collins Radio and many more. His love of the game returned when he was 50 years old and started to pitch again. Wayne never missed an opportunity to talk about softball and was always sharing tips with young pitchers.

Wayne was very proud of all of his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their many activities throughout the years. Wayne and his son Bryan had a love of classic cars, motorcycles, vintage open wheel race cars and spent time enjoying these hobbies together. Over the years, Wayne’s favorites included his 1957 Chevy, 1987 Buick Grand National and a 1970 Trostle Midget race car. He enjoyed drag racing his 1957 Chevy at Cordova and other tracks across Iowa in his early years as well the Trostle midget at many dirt tracks across the Midwest in the later years.

Wayne was a true “gearhead” and because of that we welcome and encourage everyone to drive your Classic Car, Street Rod or Motorcycle to the visitation and/or funeral.

Wayne’s family would like to thank the staff of St. Luke’s 1 West & 5th Floor Neurology, Garnett Place, Colonial Manor, Amana and Essence of Life Hospice for all the kind and compassionate care shown to him.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Tunnel to Tower Foundation or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.