Thomas "Gailen" Johnson

Gailen Johnson, age 90, of Decorah, IA died on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon, IA. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, February 21, 2022, at the Decorah Christian Life Center, 2413 River Road, Decorah, IA with Pastor Doug Bryce presiding. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church on Monday. Thomas Gailen Johnson was born on August 12th, 1931, in Armstrong, Iowa. He was known as Gailen all his life, and was the fifth of six children born to Tom and Frances Johnson. He grew up on a farm, and farming meant a lot to him all his life. He started out in country school and enjoyed telling stories about riding his horse to school. He later graduated from the high school in Armstrong. He was married to Connie in 1955 and then the family relocated to rural Lime Springs in 1956 and continued to farm. They had two children: Terry, born in 1958 and Kim, born in 1961. They later divorced. Gailen married Judie in 1970 and they had two children: Jen, born in 1978 and Manda, born in 1980. That same year the family moved to another house in rural Lime Springs where they lived for the next 27 years. During that time, he worked on another family farm and was a substitute rural mail carrier for a number of years. He then became a full-time rural mail carrier and retired after 14 years at age 76. He enjoyed the people he worked with both at the Post Office and on the farm, and always had many funny and interesting stories to tell about both. Gailen had many interests and was very active and social. He was on bowling leagues for most of his adult life, and was a founding member of the Lime Springs Saddleclub along with his brother, Earl. He always loved to ride horses, and had some of his own for many years. He played cards and shot pool at Dale’s barber shop everyday after work, and Gailen and Judie were members of a local card club for almost 30 years. He loved country music, telling jokes, and eating everything he could get his hands on, even if he had to steal it from a kid. In 2007, Gailen and Judie relocated to Decorah, Iowa, where Gailen lived in town for the first time in his life. He wasn’t sure about that idea, but after they were settled he would talk about how much he loved their house and where they lived. He spent many hours walking his black lab on the trail in the park across the street, and making friends with anyone he met. In fact, anywhere Gailen traveled in his life, he would either make a new friend or would run across someone he knew, even many states away from home. He was one of the friendliest guys you could meet. His family was very important to him, and he enjoyed everyone who would come to visit. He has left many memories behind, and his family is grateful for all of them. He spent the final months of his life at Northgate Nursing Home in Waukon, and he was very happy and comfortable there. We are thankful that he had a saving faith and is now experiencing the joys of heaven He is survived by his wife Judie. Children: Terry (Carolyn) Johnson, Lime Springs, IA; Kim (Kevin) Huinker, Fort Atkinson, IA; Jen (Cori) Peterson, Calmar, IA and Amanda (Bret) Maki, Decorah, IA. Grandchildren: Dean, Jackie (Corey), Katie (Cody), Kelsey, Kirsten, Trevor, Jordan, Connor, Noah Addison, Alex, Rachel and Ivan along with great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Sisters-in-law: Kareen Johnson, Lime Springs, IA; Pam (Perry) Gantz, North Liberty, IA and Karen Miles, San Diego, CA. Gailen was preceded in death by his parents: Thomas Jr. and Frances (McDermot) Johnson. Grandson: James Johnson. Great grandson: Justin Johnson. Siblings: Bea (Gene) Schuster, Don (KT) Johnson, Arlene (Ted) Volding, Mavis (Elmer) Rosburg, Earl Johnson. Father and mother-in-law: Truman and Ruth Corkum. Brother-in-law: Kent Miles.