Bloyce Johnson

Bloyce Earl Johnson, 78, of West Des Moines, died peacefully in his sleep at Ava's House in Sioux Falls, SD on Wednesday July 26th after a yearlong journey with pancreatic cancer. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday August 5th at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4126 Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines. A visitation will be held from 1-2 pm Saturday prior to the 2pm service at the church. Inurnment will be held at Plymouth Church Memorial Gardens. A social will follow at the church. Bloyce was born November 21, 1944, the son of Earl and Phrona (Bruns) Johnson, in Odebolt, Iowa. He graduated from Odebolt/Arthur High School in 1963, and the University of Iowa in 1967. Bloyce was married to Nanci (Hendrickson) in 1966 and had three sons; Troy, Trent and Todd. They later divorced. He married Gayle Johnson in 1995 at their home in New Virginia, IA. Bloyce taught band at various high schools in Iowa and Wisconsin. He worked for many years doing different jobs including home and business security systems and eventually started his own security business. Bloyce enjoyed being a substitute band director over the years and took great joy in directing many church choirs, men’s choirs, and community bands. Bloyce enjoyed the outdoors and was active with many different groups. In his youth he was active in his local 4-H, FFA and music, winning many awards. He was a member of the Jaycee’s in Wisconsin and held many officer positions locally and at the state level. Bloyce enjoyed taking his family camping and traveled a good portion of the United States seeing sites along the way. He was active with his sons in the Boy Scouts of America and eventually became a Member of Committee for the local Troop. Bloyce was a devout Christian all his life. He and his wife Gayle were first members of the West Des Moines Methodist Church, where he directed the church choir. Later, they found their home at Plymouth United Church of Christ, where they were members since 2011. There, he was involved with the church choir and other church activities. His family grew when he married Gayle. They traveled all over to see each of their five kids several times a year. When more grandkids came, there were few times they could be found at home. They made it a point to go to all the sporting events, recitals, graduations, concerts, and any other special events that they could. In the last few years, he has been able to visit his two great grandsons and most recently his two great granddaughters. He blessed the lives of all of his family. Survivors include his sons, Troy Johnson (Beth) of Madison, OH and their sons, Christopher Johnson (Vicki) and their sons, Josh and Micah Johnson and daughter Adriana; Nathan Johnson (Amber) and their daughter Adalyn; Trent Johnson (Jeanne) of Sioux Falls, SD and their children Jacob and Julia Johnson; Todd Johnson (Marie) of Rockford, IL and their son, Adrian Radabaugh; step son Steve Johnson (Heather) of Smithfield, UT and their daughter Collette; step daughter, Sandra Countryman (Lydia) of Portland, OR; sister-in-law Barb Johnson of Medford, WI, daughter Natalie Messman (Perry) and children of Medford, WI; sister Margret Anne Buller (Mervin) of Odebolt, IA, son Brad Buller of Odebolt, IA, daughter Dawn Roeder (Dean) and children of Arthur, IA, daughter Wendy Lorenzen (Bob) and children of Ida Grove, IA; as well as Gayle’s family, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Gayle Johnson; mother, Phrona Johnson; father, Earl Johnson; brother Willard Johnson; nephew, Daryl Johnson; grandparents, aunts and uncles and other relatives. Memorial contributions may be directed to Plymouth UCC Organ Fund or Ava's House, Hospice Care, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD.

Bloyce Johnson

November 21, 1944 - July 26, 2023