Brian "Swede" Lavern Johnson

Brian Lavern “Swede” Johnson, the son of Raymond and Carol (Rubel) Johnson was born August 12, 1955, in Audubon County, Iowa and died December 3, 2016, surrounded by his family at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 61 years, 3 months, and 21 days.
Swede was baptized at the Exira Christian Church in Exira. He attended the Exira Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1974. Following graduation Swede enlisted in the U.S. Marines. He served in the infantry and during his tour of duty his unit was aboard a number of ships to various locations around the world. He was honorably discharged in 1978 and returned to the Exira area. Swede helped operate the family farm and also worked at the Exira Farm Supply before he started his flying career.
In 1984, he was united in marriage to Terri Stockwell at the Exira Christian Church in Exira. Six children Kyle, Brad, Tom, Clint, Laura, and Kate were born to this union. He attended classes at Iowa Western Community College for aviation maintenance and also took helicopter lessons there. Swede started his own business Valley Ag Sprayers which he operated for over 14 years. He sold his airplane and purchased a helicopter in 1994 and created Johnson Helicopter. Swede did crop spraying and seed corn pollination. He seemed to always be in demand and generously gave many helicopter rides. Swede operated the business for many years on his own then was proud to welcome his sons Kyle and Brad into the business.
Swede was a member of the Exira Christian Church in Exira. He was a member of Ballou Post #332 American Legion, Exira, Iowa. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association. Swede was a proud supporter of the Make A Wish Foundation and St. Jude’s Children Hospital. He loved to fly but also in his spare time he would trim trees without the aid of a bucket truck or a harness. He enjoyed the outdoors and spent many hours bow hunting and long range shooting. But above all Swede loved being with his family, especially the grandchildren giving them rides on the 4 wheelers and in the helicopter.
Preceding him in death was his son Tom Johnson; his parents Raymond and Carol Johnson; his brother Brad Johnson; his aunt Marlene Derby; and his uncle Don Rubel.
Survivors include his children: Kyle and wife Angie Johnson and their children Hunter Andersen, Karson Johnson, and Thomas Johnson all of Exira, Iowa, Brad and wife Bridgette Johnson of Exira, Clint Johnson, Laura Johnson, and Katelyn Johnson all of Exira, Iowa; his brother and sister Becky and husband Don Akers and Bruce and wife Lermes Johnson all of Exira, Iowa; his aunts and uncles Larry and wife Bernie Johnson of Exira, Iowa, Carolyn and husband Jim Wilkins of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Marilyn and husband Roger Nelson of Ogallala, Nebraska, Joyce and husband Richard Jorgensen of Exira, Iowa, and Tom and wife Pam Rubel of Ankeny, Iowa; special close friends of the family Tracy and Richard Johnston; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Friday evening, December 9, 2016, at 4:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers on Saturday morning December 10, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. The casket bearers will be his children Kyle Johnson, Brad Johnson, Clint Johnson, Laura Johnson, and Kate Johnson.