Marvin William Johnson, 94, formerly of Miles, passed away peacefully at Jackson County Regional Health Center on Friday, April 25, 2025. All services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula, Iowa, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Visitation is from Noon until 3:00 pm, directly followed by a Celebration of Marvin’s Life. Following the service, cremation rights will be accorded. Please join us afterwards for a luncheon in the church basement. Inurnment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Sabula at a later date. Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Marvin, son of Ernest and Viola (Becker) Johnson, was born on the family farm outside of Sabula on February 12th, 1931. He attended Sabula High School, graduating with the Class of 1949. Marvin was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Miles American Legion, and Miles Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed playing cards, telling jokes, and of course, telling stories! Oh, the stories he would tell! It was rumored in his younger years that he might be seen enjoying a cold beer, possibly accompanied by a shot of peppermint schnapps. And he liked to drive trucks, which became his life’s career. It is unknown at exactly what age Marvin began driving, and after graduation, he went to work for Milo (Mike) Kunau.
In May of 1952, Marvin enlisted in the US Army. He was a member of the 53rd RCT during the Korean War. One of his main jobs was yes, you guessed it, driving! He drove the high-ranking officers’ Jeep through many different conditions, from dangerous combat to peaceful trips to the mess hall. One of those officers, Major George Boucher, took very good care of him, sneaking the “good food” out the back door where Marvin would be waiting for them to finish. Many years later, they were able to reconnect, sometimes meeting at Korean War reunions around the country. When George’s family had a surprise 100th birthday party for him, they invited Marvin to join them in South Carolina for the festivities. When George was encouraged to give a speech, in his modesty, he turned the focus towards Marvin saying, “Johnson got me through a lot over there. If it weren’t for his expertise ability driving, I would not be celebrating with you today!” They remained in contact until George’s passing, at 104 years young. Marvin was honorably discharged in February of 1954.
Returning from Korea, he went back to work for Mike. Shortly thereafter, in 1955, Marvin partnered with his older truck-driving brother, Elmer, becoming Owner/Operators of Johnson Brothers Trucking. Having many trips that took him East towards Chicago, Marvin would stop at this little spot located on the edge of Savanna, IL. It was there, at the Chicken Coop Drive-In, that Marvin met Nancy Dannels, his “bride,” as he often liked to call her. They were married January 24, 1957, at Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home in Miles, where the business was located, and celebrated 68 years together. In 1991, the brothers sold their business to one of Elmer’s children, and Marvin “semi-retired,” (pun intended). He continued driving truck for several years, in different capacities, until he officially retired.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Nancy; and three children, Diane Johnson of Maquoketa, Don (Brenda) Johnson of Clinton, and Dan (Kristi) Johnson of Sabula; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother Keith (Marie) Johnson of Miles, James (Shelley) Dannels of Reno, NV, and sister-in-law Peggy Dannels of Savanna, IL. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Dean; his parents, his stepfather John Nagel, and his wife’s parents Ambrose & Mable Dannels; a sister Violet Woodhurst, and four brothers: Elmer, Eldon, Milton, and Kenny; brothers-in-law Joe Dannels, William Woodhurst and David Frankel; sisters-in-law Shirley, Ella, Becky Dannels, and Betsy Frankel.
