News & Notes

from 2020 November Shorthorn Country

Sales Calendar

Farewells

Donald Keith

Johnson, longtime Johnson County farmer, passed away peacefully September 5, 2020 at Pleasantview Home in Kalona at age 91. Donald was born on December 26, 1928 in Iowa City to Elmer and Ella (Moynihan) Johnson. He graduated from Cosgrove High School before attending the University of Iowa. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, being honorably discharged in 1952. On May 8, 1956, Donald married Darlene Kessler in

George Allen

McLachlan, Jr , of Evart, MI died on October 3, 2020 in Big Rapids, MI. George was born at the family farmstead on Pogy Lake in Chippewa Township on June 27 in 1929 to George Alexander and Agnes Anna (Bush) McLachlan. George attended the Johnson Country School and graduated from Evart High School. He also attended Michigan State University where he received his “short course” certificate in Animal Husbandry. A search for a Shorthorn heifer to add to the herd brought George his loving wife Gloria Gail Cregg and they were wed on December 18, 1965. George and Gail have four children: Jennifer (Charles) Skotynsky of Barryton, Carla (Jeff) Geeseman of Evart, Sue (Donna Rohrs) McLachlan of Hersey and Craig (Holly) McLachlan of Big Rapids. George found great pride in his four grand children Joe (Angela) Taibl, Hunter and MacKenna Geeseman and Ryker McLachlan.

George spent his life as a stockman and farmer. He farmed at the family homestead Iowa City. The couple lived near Cosgrove, where they farmed and raised their five children. The couple enjoyed 63 loving years together until Darlene passed away in 2019.

Don was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, where he was also a lector. Active in the community, Don was a member of Extension Council, Catholic Order of Foresters, Iowa and American Shorthorn Breeders Association, American Legion, and was a Union Township Trustee. He also served as president on the Johnson County Fair Board, director for the Tiffin Fire Association and spent 10 years as a 4-H leader. He was most proud of raising the 1963 Iowa State Fair Grand

Champion Steer. during his younger years, raising cash crop potatoes and forage crops. He bred and developed an elite herd of Shorthorn Cattle. These cattle were exhibited at regional and national events for many years. George used skill in merchandising these cattle successfully throughout the U.S. and Canada. George was a longtime member of the American Shorthorn Association and he and Gail were recognized as Builders of the Breed, by the ASA. Additionally, George severed in a multitude of leadership roles in the Michigan Shorthorn Breeders Association serving as secretary, treasure, and president. George loved to share his livestock knowledge and was a generous 4-H leader for over 30 years. Teaching young people about selection, nutrition and development of their livestock projects was a favorite endeavor. He judged hundreds of County and State livestock shows over the years. George also worked at Dean’s Liberty Dairy in Evart and in the late 1970’s was presented with an opportunity to manage the care of the commercial and purebred Simmental beef cattle herd at the Michigan State University, Agriculture Biological Research Center in Lake City, MI. George worked on research projects under the guidance of MSU great’s like Dr. Harlan Ritchie and Dr. Ron Nelson. George set

He is survived by his children, Barbara Taylor (Harvey Diehl) of Iowa City, Kristine (Phillip) Austin of Champlin, Minnesota, Keith Johnson (Stienie Laubscher) oflowa City, Joan (Kevin) Vondracek of Fairfax, and Gary (Lisa) Johnson of Cosgrove; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Billy) Bergner, Rachel Austin, Corey Johnson, Kyle (Megan) Johnson, Moriah Johnson, Collin Vondracek and Courtney Vondracek, and one greatgranddaughter, Celine Bergner.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brothers, Earl and Patrick Johnson.

His family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Pleasantview Home for the love and care they provided Donald. =

up the first rotational grazing system at the MSU center in the late 1990’s. After retiring from MSU in 1998, George and Gail returned to the family farm in Evart to work a large garden and tend a small herd of Shorthorn Cattle.

George loved his family, good livestock, Tigers baseball and watching the Spartans play good ball. He had a firm handshake, an easy smile and a warm hug for his friends and family. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren excel in whatever endeavor in which they chose to participate. George is remembered fondly for his generosity, knowledge as a stockman, easy way and his love for family.

George was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James and a sister Lila. He is survived by a sister Marilyn Meads of Big Rapids, his very close cousin Jake Ludy of Evart, his children and grandchildren and the love of his life Gail. =