Lonnie Johnson

Rev. Lonnie Gene Johnson was born in Sisseton, South Dakota, September 27, 1938, to Lester and Gladys (German) Johnson. He was the third oldest of eleven children. Lonnie grew up on a farm close to Peever, SD., and attended a little country school up to the 8th grade and then Peever high school for grades 9th thru 12th where he graduated in 1958. At age 17 he felt the call of God in his heart to go to Bible college. After graduation he attended Lakewood Park Bible school in Devils Lake, North Dakota which later moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota known as Hub City Bible school. Between his second and third year of school his oldest brother Arden and sister-in-law Berdine, introduced Lonnie to Kathleen Hill, the pastor's daughter who became his beloved wife in September of 1960.

Lonnie graduated from Bible college in March of 1961. In November of 1962 he took his first pastorate, which was in a small western town of Buffalo, South Dakota. It was a little log cabin church with no inside facilities. In 1964, the family moved to Sisseton, South Dakota to take on our first Native American church called Dakota Gospel Chapel. In 1967, he made the move to Selfridge, ND, which was on the Standing Rock Reservation, and he pioneered the church in Fort Yates, ND. After both churches were doing quite well, he felt there was a need for each church to have their own pastor so, he made the decision to resign. In the fall of 1974 he moved to Oneida, WI. His goal was to take the church from mission status to General Council church which was accomplished in the 1990s. He has had many fond memories as he pastored for forty-eight years in Oneida with a total of 60 total years in the ministry. Lonnie was also the Director of Inter-Tribal Family Camp for numerous years, along with Director of WNMD Native American Ministries and the President of Lakeshore Appaloosa Promoters for a few years. In November of 2022, he resigned to start the next chapter of his life, which was retirement.

God called Lonnie to his heavenly home on October 31st, 2025. "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life" Revelation 2:10. "Well done thy good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord" Matthew 25:21. He enjoyed attending barrel races, rodeos, and being on his John Deere tractor, along with spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Kathleen (Hill) Johnson. His children, Darla Simon, Renee (Paul) Collette, Kevin Johnson, Karin Shorey (Scott Kudransky), and Sharon (Dennis) King. Twelve grandchildren, Derrick Johnson, Chris (Katie) Simon, Kacee Shorey, Nicole Simon, Jazmine King (Jacob Parker), Kyle Collette, Rachel (Tanner) Danz, Kaleb Shorey, Lexus King, Kayla Collette, Kamron Shorey (Laura Leon), and Tia King (Nathan Ekwall). Six great-grandkids, which are the pride and joy of his life, Ariella Hill, Leilonnie Parker, Elijah Shorey, Jacob Shorey, Elayna Rodriguez and Samuel Leon. He is also survived by siblings Joan (Dan) McGraw, Bonnie Volesch, Linda Halling, Judy (Myron) Moen,brother Donnie Johnson, in-laws Berdine Johnson, Shirley Johnson, Jerry Gano, Beverly Anderson, Gwendolyn Freiert, Jeanette Hill, and many nieces and nephews.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Gladys (German) Johnson, brothers Arden Johnson and Dwayne Johnson, sisters LaDonna Johnson Gano, LaVonne Johnson Erickson, infant sister Glenda Kay Johnson, infant great-granddaughter Kylie Grace Shorey and son-in-law Camon Simon. He was also preceded in death by in-laws Rev. Elmer and Helen Hill, Kenneth Hill, Jerry Anderson, Dr. Del Tarr and Dorothy Tarr, Paul Freiert, Arlie Erickson, Deb Johnson, and Delwin Volesch.

The family would like to say thank you to Unity Hospice for taking care of Lonnie in his final weeks, along with his son Kevin Johnson and granddaughters Lexus and Tia King for assisting with his care as well. They would also like to say thank you to Pastor David Rinck for visiting nearly every day and praying with Lonnie in his final weeks.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 13th, 2025, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a closing prayer from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Seymour Assembly of God Church. Visitation will continue at the Seymour Assembly of God Church on Friday, November 14th, 2025, from 8:30 am until the service at 10:00 am with Oneida Hymn Singers performing at 9:45 am.

For online condolences to Lonnie's family please visit www.muehlboettcher.com