June 26, 1948 - July 3 2022.
Long-time Omaha, NE resident, Stephen Robert Johnson (Poppy), age 74, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 3, 2022, with his children by his side. While his death is heartbreaking to his family and friends, he will long be remembered for his love of family, jovial spirit, passion for drag racing and 29 years of community service as a Douglas County Deputy Sherriff. With his passing, Stephen has now joined his beloved wife of 45 years Mary Judith Johnson in heaven.
Stephen was born June 26, 1948, Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of Robert C Johnson and Elaine Katherine (Reed) Johnson. He grew up just to the North of the old Richmond Gordman Retail Store, attending Beveridge High School and working as a grocery bagger at the neighborhood Food City. His first love was his affinity for the thrills of drag racing. Summer weekends were spent at the local drag races with Stephen as the driver, his Dad the ACE Mechanic, and his little sister the Helper.
In 1974, Stephen began his lifelong love for his soon to be wife Mary Judith Shonquist Johnson. Over the next 48 years, he and Mary raised 5 children. Stephen, a Big Kid at Heart, would often play pickup baseball games in the backyard with 16+ kids. He was known amongst the kids in the neighborhood as the Master of orchestrating snowball fights after a fresh snow. A huge Husker Fan, he and Mary spent their Fall weekends attending Husker Football Games.
He joined the Douglas County Deputy Sherriff’s Dept. in 1975 and retired after 29 years of service in 2004. He was known to share a colorful story or two about his tenure as a Deputy. He was proud to serve his community.
In 2004, he and Mary retired on a beautiful acreage in Greenbrier AR. He loved to mow his 5 acres and watch the vast sunsets from his back porch while enjoying a cold beverage. He also enjoyed the many large family vacations on Greers Ferry Lake and the visits from family and friends.
After many wonderful years in Arkansas, Stephen and Mary returned to Omaha in 2018 due to a rapid onset of health issues. Stephen battled Alzheimers and was taken to soon. A devoted husband, father, grandparent, friend. He will be missed. He is now in peace with his beloved Mary.
Stephen is survived by his sister Susan Johnson (Stephen) Bridgman of Conway AR, niece Brittian Bridgman Womack, great-nephew Tristen Bridgman Parr of Conway AR, bother Stan Johnson of Mountain Home AR, his children, Kathleen Stahlnecker Topf, of Eklhorn, NE, Ann Stahlnecker Howman of Omaha, NE , John Stahlnecker of Tampa, FL , Sue Stahlnecker (Stephen) Venteicher of Omaha, NE, and Jerry Paul Stahlnecker of Omaha, NE, his grandchildren Joshua Topf of Elkhorn, NE, Magann Venteicher (Rob) Wiley of Omaha, NE Lexi Venteicher of Omaha, NE , Jordan Venteicher (Kelly) Dwyer of Denver, CO, Colten (Tabitha) Venteicher of Gothenburg, NE, Hillary Venteicher (Emry) Watson of Lincoln, NE , Dylan (Brittany Clifton) Venteicher of Omaha, NE , Brooklynn Venteicher of Boulder, Margaret Stahlnecker of Tampa, FL, and Jake Stahlnecker of San Marcos, TX, and his 14 great grandchildren.
Celebration of Life – Thursday July 7, 2022 from 5-7pm at Omaha Police Union Hall (13445 Cryer Ave)
In lieu of flowers, memorials given to the family will be used in Stephen’s memory at a later date.
Braman Mortuary – (Southwest Chapel)
6505 S. 144 St.
Omaha, NE 68137
402-895-3400
To send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen R Johnson, please visit our flower store.