Services
Obituary
Rory A. Johnson, 59, of Belmond, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Belmond.
A Memorial Visitation for Rory Johnson will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South, in Belmond, and will be immediately followed by a gathering of family and friends at the family home in Belmond.
Rory Alan Johnson was born July 10, 1965, to Ronald and June (Powell) Johnson in Las Vegas, Nevada. He and his family moved a lot, but eventually settled in Iowa, where Rory graduated from high school in Rockwell City, Iowa, with the Class of 1983. Following high school, he served in both the Army National Guard and the United States Army for two years.
Rory was united in marriage to Lisa Winterboer in 1984, and to this union, children Jennifer, Braden, Gregory and Curtis were born. Later, he married Christine (Greeley) Johnson in Belmond, on July 23, 2011, joining her and her children, Richard and Amanda, in a new blended family.
Rory’s adult life involved a lot of moving as well, as the manager of several hog farms required him to live in Arizona, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Nebraska, though he always returned to Iowa, because “it was home.” In 2006, Rory returned to Belmond, taking a job at Eaton’s in the maintenance department, then with Cramer Trenching for some time, then at Van Diest in Webster City, and finally, at Winnebago Industries where he finished his working career.
Rory enjoyed playing cards, playing horse shoes, watching Game Show Network and the Minnesota Vikings. Mostly, Rory loved spinning tall tales, a gift that he shared with anyone who might listen. He was an avid story teller, especially when drinking Fire Water, and his quick wit and sense of humor were second only to his love of family and his big heart. In addition to his stories, his family remembers him as a loving cheerleader for each of them and their various life activities.
Rory was a meat and potatoes kind of guy, with the only green food allowed near him was his bottle of Mountain Dew. Likewise, in life, he appreciated someone telling it like it is, and was a straight shooter despite his love of giving others a hard time and seeing how far he could take a story.
Rory is survived by his wife, Christine, of Belmond; his children, Jennifer Johnson of Mason City, Braden (Valerie) Johnson of Garner, Gregory Johnson of Mason City, and Curtis (Samantha) Johnson of Cape Coral, Florida; grandchildren: Drake Kaduce, Traeytin Johnson, Braden “Benny” Johnson, Jr., Teagan Johnson, and Charlotte Johnson; step-children: Richard (Amy) Bates and their children Abigail and Caitlyn of Alexander, and Amanda (Jeremy) Lesmann and their children Madison (her children Max and Milo), Makayla and Randy; brothers Eric, Chris and Rick Johnson; along with numerous other family members and friends.
Rory was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Kim Martinez; and his brothers Tony Johnson and Ronald “Butchy” Johnson, Jr.
Anyone wishing to contact the family or send condolences are invited to send mail to Ewing Funeral Home, Attention: Christine Johnson, PO Box 301, Belmond, Iowa, 50421.