Mark Johnson

Mark “Papa Johnson” Johnson, 57, passed away at his home in West Des Moines on October 11, 2017. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 13, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi. Mark was born on November 10, 1959 to Walter and Norma (Shepard) Johnson in Des Moines, Iowa. Mark worked hard and played hard. He worked for Meredith Publishing from 1979 to 1991 and for AE Dairy from 1991 until his retirement in 2016. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and had a passion for bicycling. He rode on RAGBRAI for sixteen years as a member of the Talldog Bike Club. He loved his family and was a devoted Grandfather. He passed on his love of biking to his grandchildren, teaching them to ride. He lived and died with grace, dignity and faith and was a true warrior in his life’s journey. Mark is survived by his daughter, Diane (Russ) Paul; son, Michael (Kelsay) Johnson; grandchildren, Abby and Natalie Paul and Blake and Raeli Johnson; parents; sister, Patty Johnson; and long-time girlfriend, Jean Smith. Memorials may be made to the family in Mark’s name for bike trail improvements.