Johnnie Land

Johnnie Land, the youngest of 4 children born to Robert and Elsie (Bashor) Cole, was born on October 30, 1934 in Shannon City, Iowa. When Johnnie was 4 years old, Elsie passed away and Robert was unable to care for the children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Johnnie and his brother, Roger were adopted by Elsie’s sister, Lucille and her husband, Herbert Land. The 2 girls were adopted outside of the family. Johnnie was raised on the farm and attended Shannon City Schools, graduating from Shannon City High School with the Class of 1952. During his growing up years, the family regularly attended church and Johnnie became the church Bell Ringer. He continued ringing the church bell each week for as long as his health permitted.

Following graduation, Johnnie moved to Amarillo, Texas where he worked in a Milk factory for a year. He returned home and helped on the farm until the passing of his parents, Lucille and Herbert. Johnnie remained on the family farm and went to work for the Afton Coop. On February 14, 1985, Johnnie was united in marriage to Marilyn Smith and became a step-father to Marilyn’s daughter, Tabatha.

As a young adult, Johnnie began bowling and became one of the highest scoring bowlers in the Creston Bowling League. In fact, he was the first to bowl a 711 series in the league and proudly showed off a Belt Buckle he received as an award for that score. He traveled to several different states to bowl in tournaments and was also very proud of being a 25-year member of the National Bowling Association. Johnnie was a competitive person and always wanted to win. He enjoyed playing, and winning, card games with his family and friends, especially with his brother-in-law, Tom Smith who always called him “smiling Johnnie”. Johnnie never knew a stranger and was friendly to everybody.

Johnnie retired from the Afton Coop at the age of 75 and then went to work for Southern Iowa Trolley for 10 years. When he could no longer work, Johnnie tried to stay busy on the family farm until entering the nursing home earlier this year in 2021. Johnnie entered eternal rest on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center, at the age of 86 years.

Preceding Johnnie in death were his biological parents; adoptive parents; his sisters: Judy Kendel and Connie Bailey; his brother, Roger Land; 4 brothers-in-law: Bob, Sam, Ron and Gary Smith; his mother and father-in-law, Lorine and Donald Smith; and many aunts and uncles.

Johnnie is survived by his wife, Marilyn Land of Afton, Iowa; step-daughter, Tabatha Phelps (fiancé, Ben); 2 grandsons: Michael Phelps and Stone (wife Gabby) Hammons; brother-in-law, Tom Smith; sister-in-law, Teresa Smith; and many nieces and nephews.