Obituaries : Daniel “Dan” W. Johnson

Daniel "Dan" W. Johnson, 55, of Belle Plaine, Iowa passed away Monday, November 15, 2021 following his battle with cancer.

Dan was born August 11, 1966 to Roxy and Linda (McCaughey) Johnson in Anamosa, IA. He graduated from Lincoln Community High School, Stanwood, IA in 1984. From the time Dan graduated high school he was involved in Fire and EMS services. Starting at Mechanicsville's Fire and EMS in October 1984. Serving as an EMT he held office of VP in 1989, 3rd Asst. 1990, and 2nd Asst. 1991-92. Dan was Fire Chief in 1994 and 1st Asst. in 1995-96. He also enjoyed playing slow pitch softball league in Mechanicsville.

Dan married Lori Longerbeam, and to this union they were blessed with Jordon, in 1993. Later the couple when their separate ways. In 2002, Dan was blessed with his second son, Dalton, born to Gina Purk.

Dan was a very skilled worker, doing residential and commercial carpentry on his own and then as a member of the Carpenters Union in Cedar Rapids. He drove truck for Farm Services and Dickies of Mechanicsville, driving all over the United States. Dan working in construction from 18 years old till 2004, when he met Elana Janss. Upon meeting Elana, he started his career with the Belle Plaine EMS in 2004 as a driver, quickly become recertified as an EMT. He started with the Belle Plaine Fire Department in 2007, were he served as a training officer. In 2009, together with his wife, they became the BP ambulance co-managers and completed their training for ME investigators in 2015. As a staple of the community Dan has saved many lives and trained others to do the same. Together with Elana they taught CPR, First Responder and EMT classes.

On August 11, 2007 Dan and Elana were married in South Dakota at the TC Ranch in the Black Hills National Forest. By this marriage, Dan was blessed with 3 more children, Chris, Amber, and Sarah. The TC Ranch and Black Hills was a special place to them, where they had made many fond memories and trips out to help friends on the ranch.

Dan was a hero to many, whether it was through the Fire Department or EMS, as a friend or someone he just met. Dan was always there when people were in need. Dan dedicated every part of himself to his community, friends and family. From being stubborn, loving, to a role model to all. He loved living life hands on and lived by his slogan of "If you're going to do it, do it right".

Dan loved the outdoors, cutting wood, mowing with Dalton on his lap, teaching the kids to drive tractor, run the farm, and scrap metal. He treasured his trips to Southern Iowa, deer and mushroom hunting with his lifelong friend, Bryan "Vern" Brown. Traveling with his family, fishing, hunting and camping in Minnesota, Lake Michigan and Deep-Sea Fishing in Florida, even helping Elana get her first Turkey.

Dan is survived by his mother, Linda Johnson of Mechanicsville; wife, Elana of Belle Plaine; children, Jordan (Heather Griffith) Johnson of Belle Plaine, Chris (Tori Harper) Malfese; Amber Malfese all of Belle Plaine, Dalton Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Sarah (Lance Van Nevel) Malfese of Belle Plaine; siblings, Joe (Kim) Johnson of Evansdale, Bob Johnson of Mechanicsville; nieces and nephews, Kayla, Alex, Nick, Abbey, Emily, Kyle, Mia; mother-in-law, Marian Janss; and many more grand-nieces and nephews, cousins, family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Roxy; and father-in-law, John "Doc" Janss.

Nothing made Dan prouder than his family, wife and children, he will be missed beyond measure.

Service is 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Belle Plaine High School Gymnasium. Service will also be livestreamed through the funeral service Facebook page. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Friday, November 19th at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com