Dr. Mark A Johnson, 62, formerly of Atlantic, went home to the Lord on July 3, 2021. He was surrounded by his family at home in hospice where he fought the good fight for two weeks since being diagnosed with cancer.
He was born July 10, 1958, in Council Bluffs, Iowa to his parents, Francis “Bud” Johnson and Eileen Francis Christiansen. The family moved to Atlantic where Mark attended K-12 Atlantic schools. He then attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN., transferred to Drake University-graduating Magna Cum Laude- and received his medical degree from the University of Iowa Medical School.
He married his high school sweetheart, Pamela (Ferrell) on August 4, 1978. Together they had four children: Katie Johnson of West Des Moines, Benjamin Johnson of Waukee, Samuel Johnson of Ames, and Aaron Johnson of Ames. Mark and Pam were also blessed to have Ben’s wife, Andrea (Pace) and two grandsons, Winston and Wallace added to their family.
Mark loved being a physician. From a young age, he had felt it was a “calling,” that God had given him this gift to share. While an undergrad at Drake, Mark worked at Iowa Methodist ER as an orderly and would later return to Iowa Methodist to intern there while in medical school.
He was well known for his patience, compassion, kindness and empathy that was reflected in his bedside manner that so many of his patients and peers appreciated. He had a wicked sense of humor that he passed on to his children and grandkids, as well as a lifelong love of learning. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, taking trips to the north shore of Minnesota, to Chicago to see family, and numerous other adventurous road trips with family and friends, as well as being involved in leaving a legacy of his faith to his children.
Mark loved the Lord. In recent days, some of the letters he’d written Pam back in high school best portray the heart of this man. And since, memories of classmates, stories from patients and colleagues illuminate Mark’s God-given gifts. He was never one to want to be in the spotlight; he was simply passionate about helping others and was humbly honored as a recipient of the Iowa Hospital Heroes award in 2019. One of his favorite verses exemplifies Mark’s faith in difficult times. “There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to it’s faith, it’s hope, and it’s endurance.” (I Cor. 13:7) (NEB)
Mark is survived, by his wife, Pamela, his children, Katie, Benjamin (Andrea), Samuel, Aaron and two grandsons, Winston and Wallace Johnson, his mother, Eileen Johnson (Atlantic), Sister, Pamela Boone (David) and nephew Quincy Boone (Jessi) great-nephews, Kaden, Xander and great-niece, Rowan, nephew Myles Boone (Cristin) all of Des Moines, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life visitation honoring Mark’s dedicated service and life in Atlantic will be held Saturday, July 24, 2021, from 2-5 pm at the Cass County Community Center, 805 W 10th St, Atlantic, IA 50022
A chapel service will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, on August 6, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with a lunch following.
Private internment will be at McLaren Resthaven in West Des Moines.
