Ralph Gordon Johnson was born on June 3, 1889 in Columbia, Brown, South Dakota to Nathan Johnson and Mary “Minnie” (Killmar) Johnson. He was married to Elva Wenger. They had an epic romance, a relationship that lasted forty years. Ursula Johnson memorialized it with this poem for their 25th wedding anniversary:
On the old farm house veranda sat dear old Ralph and Elva thinking of the days gone by after all their trials and hardships. They could still hold hands in courtship, sparks of mischief filled their eyes.
Ralph, Lynn, and Elva
Years ago when first he met her he was handsome, dark, and slender. And he vowed he’d have her yet. So he dated, dined, and danced her, went to see her, and romanced her. Till she set the date, you bet. Then she went back to Wisconsin just to tell her folks about him, leaving Ralph here all alone. But alas, when neared the time when he should go back there to wed her, a smashed toe the date postponed.
Mary, Dean, Ralph, and Elva
After days he finally got there, bought a license and then wed her to finish up the job. But oh my, he found out quickly you must live ten days exactly to take a bride by law. Like all grooms he wouldn’t wait long, but trekked back to St. Paul with her, bought a second license there, got a preacher and a witness and did up that foolish business. And today she heard him say, “Put on your neat gray bonnet with the red ribbons on it while I tune up the new Chevrolet. Through the gate around the river we will ride in that new fliver on our silver wedding day.”
Johnson Family – 1950s
Johnson Family
Columbia Snowstorm
Ralph and Elva seven children: Robert (b. 1918), Clare (b. 1921), Joseph (b. 1923), Alice, Ruth (b. 1927), Ralph Dean (b. 1931), and Mary. Ralph died on September 14, 1956 in Columbia, South Dakota, at the age of 67. His son Ralph remembers him wearing bib overalls, a chambray shirt, a straw hat in summer, and a cap in winter.
Elva and Ralph (4th & 3rd from Right)
A tribute to Ralph Johnson written by Mrs. Edwin Carlson (Verna Mertz) of Salt Lake City, Utah, alumnae of Columbia High School:
Dear God, another grandpa
Checked in with you today;
Free from pain and worldly strife
He peacefully went your way.
He was a kindly man, a gentle man
With twinkling eyes of blue.
And this world’s a far better place
For just his passing through.
There must be kiddies in heaven
Who miss a grandpa dear
Just let this grandpa loves them
Til their own dear ones appear.
He likes to be quite busy
Though he hasn’t been working hard
And I think he might really like
To be the rainbow’s guard.
Would be nice to know for us on earth
That he was standing by
Each time we saw a rainbow
Shining in the sky.
Bonnie Johnson, Bob Johnson, Grandma Mary (Killmar) Johnson, and Ralph Gordon Johnson
Ralph Gordon Johnson, 67, died at home this Friday after an extended illness.
Mr. Johnson was born near Columbia, South Dakota on June 3, 1889, while Dakota was still a territory. Since that time, he has made this community his home.
On November 10, 1915 he married Elva Wenger of Alma, Wisconsin and the young couple set up farming. To this union seven children were born. One, a daughter, Alice, died in infancy.
During these many years Mr. Johnson has served his community well. He served on the township board and was assessor for many years. His death terminated his service of more than 30 years as a school board member. He was a member of the Columbia Congregational Church and the Columbia Lodge No. 43 A.F. & A.M.
Columbia Congregational Church
Those left to mourn are his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Arthur Daly (Ruth), Mrs. Martin Weismantel (Mary), both of Columbia; and four sons Robert and Clare, also of Columbia; Joseph of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Dean, a student at Northern State College; his Mother, Mrs. Mary Johnson, Aberdeen; two brothers, Frank D. Johnson of Mitchell and Clifford D. Johnson of Rapid City; two sisters, Mrs. A.M. Cole of Mission, Texas and Mrs. W.W. Klepfer of Aberdeen; and 16 grandchildren.
In 1977, Ralph’s brother Frank was interviewed about their early days in Columbia. Frank was 91 years old at the time.
Ralph’s third son, Joseph, was interviewed by his kids in 2013 about his life in Columbia:
