Maurice Johnson

Maurice Johnson, 74, of Floyd, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

A memorial service for Maurice will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City with Dave Hill and Rhonda Higby from Floyd Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Inurnment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Floyd.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church and continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

Maurice Monroe Johnson was born on Dec. 30, 1949, to Merrill L. and Charline Johnson in Charles City, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm with his cousins, where he learned to work hard and have fun. The most important lessons in life, he learned from his wise parents: to serve God and others; to know and live the golden rule; to value relationships.

Maurice attended grade school in Floyd and graduated from Charles City High School in 1968. He attended ISU for one year. His father became ill, so he moved home to help on the farm and joined the National Guard, where he served for six years.

Maurice and Pam met, fell in love, and married in 1972. They worked side by side on the farm raising crops, livestock, and children. Like their parents before them, Maurice and Pam knew, through the 52 years of farming and creating a life together, that the best crop they would raise and nurture would be their sons and their wives, and their grandsons. This would be their greatest legacy left to carry on.

Faith, family, and farming were Maurice’s passions. He was a sixth-generation farmer and was always in learning mode. Using better crop genetics, soil and water management practices, conserving and improving soil health were priorities. He could build, fabricate and repair almost anything. Those skills were important on the farm and in many building projects at church. He loved his church family at the Floyd Grace United Methodist Church. He always had a to do list, a can-do attitude, and a plan of work.

Through the years he served in many ways, as a 4-H leader, Floyd County Pork Producer, seed salesman, Farm Bureau County president, farm auction clerk, township clerk. He received many awards for his work, including Floyd County; Master Pork Producer and Outstanding Conservationist; Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame and Wallace’s Farmer Master Farmer Award.

He loved kids and for decades enjoyed working with the 4-H and FFA youth at the Floyd County Fair, where he announced all the livestock shows. Maurice also loved being Pam’s “First Gentleman” as she was elected to represent corn farmers as a state, national and international president. The best part was all the great people they met along the way.

The legacy he leaves includes all the people he touched during his life. He inspired so many in his own quiet humble way. He had a smile and a twinkle in his eyes that would light up a room.

Maurice Johnson died, like he lived, with strength, grace, and love. He embodied Grit, Strength, Endurance, Courage, Resilience, Excellence, and Love. He was conscious of doing what is right for a higher purpose. He knew who he was and whose he was. As he said, “I will see you on the other side.” Blessed be his memory.

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill L. and Charline Johnson and Pam’s parents, John and Bonnie Norby. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Pam, and their children and grandsons; Ben and Amy (Ritzman), Jackson and Riley; and Andy and Abbie (Wiebbecke), Kyle and Carter; along with many more loving family members and a myriad of friends.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.