Monte David Johnson

December 26, 1940 - May 19, 2016

Memorial services for Monte will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium. Pastors Brad Barrows and Sandra Blumenhourst will be officiating the service. Following the Memorial service, there will be Military Honors performed outside of the Milligan Auditorium. They will be performed by Milligan American Legion HSSK Post 240. Interment of cremains will be held at a later date. Memorials are directed to the family to be designated at a later date. Monte David Johnson was born to Herman and Mildred (Wilson) Johnson on December 26, 1940, at Winner, South Dakota, and passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at his home in Milligan, Nebraska at the age of 75 years, 4 months, and 23 days. He was one of five children born in the family. Monte joined the Navy Reserves while still in high school and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958. The following year he married Karen Dittenber. While in the Navy, he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and San Diego, California. After leaving the Navy in 1966, Monte policed the City of Littleton, Colorado. In 1969, he continued his service to his country and joined the Army. While in the Army, he performed tours in Vietnam from 1970-1971, Korea from 1975-1976 and 1980-1981. He was a member of the 1st Cavalry Division where he first flew a Huey Helicopter and then moved to a Cobra Attack Helicopter. He was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross three times, and Bronze Star. On June 30, 1984, he retired from the Army and later settled outside of Waverly, Nebraska. He met Mary (Marshall) Haneline and they were married on June 25, 1994. They made their home in Waverly, where Monte flew Life Flight for St. Joseph's Hospital and worked for Concrete Industries. Upon his retirement from there, he and Mary moved to Milligan, Nebraska where he worked on the farm with his son-in-law. Monte was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, South Dakota. After moving to Milligan, he joined the Milligan United Methodist Church. He also had membership in the Milligan American Legion HSSK Post 240, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, VFW, National Rifle Association, the 1st Cavalry Division, US Army, and the Milligan Community Club. Monte was military service-oriented through and through; he was structured, a true gentleman, respectful, and well organized. He loved spending time with his wife, Mary and also cherished the relationships he made with friends in the community of Milligan. Attending Vietnam reunions and reconnecting with his brothers in arms were great memories for him. Monte was passionate about flying as well as hunting, working on guns, and reloading ammunition in his spare time. Monte was preceded in death by his grandparents David & Anna Johnson; Carl Wilson and Sophie Wilson; parents Herman & Mildred Johnson; nephew Jeffrey Johnson; and parents-in-law Melvin & Mildred Marshall. He is survived by his wife Mary Johnson of Milligan, Nebraska; son David and wife Lydia Johnson of Arlington, Texas; daughter Lori Johnson of Lincoln, Nebraska; son John and wife Tracy Haneline of Cheyenne, Wyoming; daughter Tracy Kresak and husband Brad of Milligan, Nebraska; grandchildren Kate and Zach Johnson of Arlington, Texas, Jacob Haneline of Guam, Jessica and Jaidyn Haneline of Monument, Colorado, Brody, Josie and Cade Kresak of Milligan, Nebraska; Sister Monica Zuerlein and husband Vance of Lincoln, Nebraska; brothers Mickey Johnson and wife Nancy of Ashland, Nebraska, Murray Johnson and wife Vi of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mark Johnson and wife Deb of Norfolk, Nebraska.