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His Life

Don's Life

November 11, 2013
Don's life has always been about service. Service to his country, to his banking community and most importantly to his family! Born in Albion Nebraska December 20, 1932, the youngest of three, to Oscar and Ona Johnson. He loved his years in Albion and the time spent on the farm with his dad. He especially loved his well trained horse Gypsy Queen and loved to tell story's about training him. He was very active in high school athletics playing basketball, football, track and boxing. In the summertime he excelled in baseball, even being invited to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals. After high school he went to UNL and was active in the Farmhouse fraternity and ROTC. Following college graduation the ROTC sent him to the Bartow Air Force base in Florida . He loved his years flying and even spent some time as an Air Force photographer. He still even has his Air Force parachute. Following his years in the Air Force and serving his country, he became a Dekalb dealer. During this time he married his high school and college sweetheart, Virginia Johnson. It was through selling seed corn that he was asked if he would be interested in becoming a banker. And what a love for this profession was born. He started in Pilger Nebraska in Farmers National Bank in 1962. It was in Pilger that he had his greatest accomplishments. He raised three children Lori, Karen and Doug. He and the Cooper family also formed Midwest Banking corporation while in Pilger and served as President and CEO for many years. Today Midwest Banks has 8 different banks throughout the state of Nebraska. In 1983 Don served as NBA president. He and Ginny retired in Pierce Nebraska but still serves on the Midwest Bank Board. Throughout his years in Pilger he served on the United Methodist boards, Pilger Village Board, Board of Directors of Faith Regional Hospital, Northeast Community College Foundation, Indian Trails Country Club and Dinklage Foundation. As you can see, Don not only served his country with his years of service in the Air Force, but service of all kinds has even a huge role in his life.