David Calvin Johanson

David Calvin Johanson

Cedar Rapids

David Calvin Johanson, 64, died April 2, 2025. Graveside Services will be April 5, 2025, at 12:00 noon at Czech National Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, located at 2200 C St SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids are in charge of arrangements.

David Calvin Johanson was born September 22, 1960, to Sally Janet Munn and Calvin Wynkoop Johanson in Medford, Oregon, while the family lived in Gold Hill, Oregon. He was a cute, tow-headed, sturdy little boy who grew up to love riding bicycles and playing with Tonka Trucks, Hot Wheels and Legos. He participated in Boy Scouts through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Astoria, Oregon, and enjoyed camping, river-running and being an outdoorsman. In his adult years, he enjoyed visiting museums, fishing (although he didn’t like eating fish), doing puzzles, and working in the yard and garden. He was making plans for his first garden in his front yard in the only house he ever owned, a cozy little cottage he got to live in for nearly 2 years.

His childhood friendships lasted into adulthood, especially with Mark Garrison. He enjoyed keeping up with his friends in Clatsop County through the Daily Astorian and on Facebook. He also made other long-time friendships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he lived for many years. He enjoyed chatting with people wherever he went, and enjoyed these acquaintances, much like his mother, Sally Munn did. Special gratitude to Michael and Shelly Pfoff, and Tim Cejka for their friendship and support of David over the years.

He helped his dad around his shop while growing up and was always known to be a kind helper to other people in need. He worked in property management, as a grounds keeper, in furniture delivery, maintenance positions and driving school buses and medical transport vehicles. He worked for FEMA for some time, at an international church’s headquarters and retreat center, and also for Mark Garrison at Mattress World. He was a steady, dependable worker.

He was married four times, but single at the time of his death. His beloved companions were his dogs Ladyfish and Ruby.

He loved his visits to the family beach at Boston Harbor, Washington. As a child, he was often out in the little rowboat that Grammy provided for her grandchildren, happily rowing around the harbor. He spent many hours playing with his cousins on the beach and around the dining room table at The Old Orchard on rainy days, playing “Oh Hell”. Grammy always smiled and thanked him for sweeping the walkways and stairs to make it safe for her. In 2019, he sold most everything, quit his job in Cedar Rapids, and selflessly moved to Boston Harbor to help his 94-year-old mother with her personal and medical needs, in spite of his own, quite serious, medical challenges.

He was a humble man who enjoyed listening to people and helping them with the abilities he had, never seeking praise or thanks. He was a good, conscientious son, brother and husband. He was truly of the tribe mentioned in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.