Fred Johnston

Freddie 'Fred' Glen Johnston, 82, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, departed on December 7, 2020, after a battle with cancer. A private gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Fred was born on August 9, 1938, to Cecil Vern and Alma Amanda (Lane) Johnston. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-58, being stationed in Iceland for one of those years. In December of 1958, Fred married Lila Fry and they had five children: Rick, Tena, Carol Lynn, Mandy, and Sue. They later divorced. He married Karen Kay Dietrich in December of 1965 and had two children, Denise and Glen. Fred held many jobs over the years, retiring from James W. Bell Company in 1993. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. He also loved his flowers, feeding the birds, and spending winters in Florida with Kenny and Sharon Wright. He is survived by his children, Rick Johnston of Blue Rapids, Kansas, Tena (Kurt) Larson of Waterville, Kansas, Carol Lynn Johnston of Blue Rapids, Kansas, Mandy Anderson of Mankato, Kansas, Sue (Jim) Brenner of Randolph, Kansas, and Denise Johnston of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. Fred was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; wife, Karen; son, Glen; and grandson, Joshua Zirger. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family or to the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. We will always love you, Dad.