Paul Edward Johnson, 97, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died August 9, 2013 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE.

He was born March 12, 1916 at Eustis, NE, son of John and Anna Johnson. He grew up in the Cozad area and graduated from Cozad High School. Paul was married to Helen Velte and they had two children. Paul married Tille E. Stevens on March 12, 1948, they had two children. He farmed southwest of Cozad and then moved to a farm northeast of Gothenburg. Paul had a love for the land and a special place in his heart for horses. He enjoyed Golden Gloves Boxing and Micro Midget Racing.

Survivors include two sons – Steve (Jo) Johnson of Gothenburg, NE, Kenneth Lee (Carol) Spilker of Clifton, NJ; two daughters – Beth (Curt) Bowman of Tucson, AZ, Bette (Dr. Robert) Patton of Kingsport, TN; four granddaughters – Kimberly Johnson, Linda (Bruce) Williams, Christina (Mike) Makoska, Kara (Scott) Zinke; three grandsons – Doran Johnson, William (Deborah) Patton, David Patton; six great-grandchildren-Elizabeth, Charles, Rudd, Dylan, Leah, and Brayden; brother John Johnson of Lexington, NE; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and Rebecca Meredith his special caregiver.

Paul was preceded in death by wife, Tillie Emily Johnson, parents, John and Anna Johnson, five sisters – Dorothy (Leslie) Delap, Ester (Lawrence) Velte, Florence Stear, Edith (Ward) Kinnan, and Ruth (Vern) Brown; one brother Harold Johnson; sister-in-law Lola Johnson.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Tuesday, August 13, 2013 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the family present from 6-8pm.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, August 14, 2013 at 10:30 am with Pastor Larry Viter officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department, 602 Tenth Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or the Nebraska Children’s Home. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.