Dirk Johnson, 64
Dirk Johnson, 64, of Valley Springs, S.D., passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Thursday, April 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife, children, close family members, and friend, Shane Caldwell. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Brandon Valley Assembly of God in Brandon. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a future charitable cause in memory of Dirk. Please dress just like Dirk would want in casual clothes or your favorite flannel.
Dirk, son of Lester and Ruth Johnson, was born on Dec. 25, 1960, in Sioux Falls. Dirk grew up in Valley Springs, attended Valley Springs Elementary School and Brandon Valley High School, earning his GED in 1979. Before accomplishing his GED, Dirk decided he wanted to marry the love of his life, Melaine Scholten. In 1973, Melaine saw Dirk walk into church and leaned over to her sister and said “that’s the man I’m going to marry someday.” Love at first sight! They tied the knot on July 7, 1978, at Valley Springs Reformed Church, where they had met when they were just 12 years old. Fast forward a few months, along came their first born, Kathryn in 1979. Shortly after came Joseph, followed by EB and Lindsey. The family added bonus daughter, Shyanne in 2014. Dirk and Melaine created a wonderful family, which has grown to include 20 grandkids, with one on the way.
Through the years, Dirk was employed by Bob’s Auto and T & A Service, before finally becoming his own boss, starting D and M Construction. He successfully ran his business for 34 years. Working alongside him for much of the journey, were his son, Joe and even, daughters, Kathryn and EB. Besides his family, his business would be one of his proudest achievements in life. Dirk also loved his part time gig, driving bus, for the Brandon Valley Bus Barn for 12 years. They were like a second family to him. He started another business called Horse n Around, and spent 17 years giving carriage rides in downtown Sioux Falls, countless weddings, wagon rides, Homesteader Days and even entering horse pulling events. Dirk worked endlessly, up until cancer took his ability to walk. Dirk passed his hard-working attitude onto his five children.
Now, onto some of his many personal achievements. Dirk coached his daughters in softball for a combined 20 years. He also coached many years of basketball, and spent countless hours in the gym he built for his daughters to succeed in their sports. He would do anything for his kids. He received several outstanding coaching awards, helped start the Brandon Valley MatCats Wrestling Program, was the president of the softball association, helped the BVHS softball program start up, was a member of the booster club, Sunday School treasurer, RCYF youth leader, and member of the Corn Huskers Association. Dirk was the jack of all trades! Ha!
Dirk had a passion for riding and driving horse, haying, hobby farming, farming with his two grandsons, being with family and most of all, attending his kids and now grandkids sporting events. He had many sayings to some of his kids and grandkids. One of his favorites at softball and baseball games was, “Throw ‘em the dark one.” Dirk and Mel enjoyed going out to the Black Hills two or three times a year to go ATV riding ... we think just to scare mom on the steep slopes. He was fearful of nothing!
Dirk is very well known in the community for his gruff and tough attitude. Little do people know, he’s a big teddy bear on the inside! He would do anything for anyone. In particular, he hated fishing, but since Melaine loved it, he’d always take her whenever she wanted. He may have complained a few times about it ... but showed up, because that’s who the real Dirk was. A stubborn, tough guy, but the most gentle, caring guy, that a lot of people didn’t know. He really is one of a kind.
Dirk is survived by his wife Melaine Johnson, Valley Springs; daughter, Kathryn (Wade) Lofton, Lakeville, Minn., son, Joseph (Julie) Johnson, Valley Springs, daughter, EB (Tyler) Carda, Valley Springs, daughter, Lindsey (Bryce) Block, Ellsworth, Minn., and daughter, Shyanne Johnson, Brandon; grandkids, Alexis (Lofton) and Austin Biddle, Bryce Lofton, Carley Lofton, Destiney Lofton, Elijah Lofton, Forester Lofton, Graham Lofton, Hope Lofton, Isabel Lofton, Jeremiah Lofton, Preston Johnson, Peyton Johnson, Paisley Johnson, Tate Carda, Tyson Carda, Trey Carda, Tessa Carda, Hadley Block, Harper Block, Hunter Block, and Shyanne is expecting grandbaby number 21 due in June; aunt and uncle, Francis and John Bangsund; many brothers and sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews and a special friend, Shane Caldwell.
Dirk was preceded in death by his father and mother, Lester and Ruth Johnson; sister, Kreste Albertus; grandparents, Dick and Bessie Hoogestraat; mother and father-in-law, Milt and Marlene Scholten; and his beloved dog, Pepper.
Dirk told his oncologist he was very blessed to be able to have this cancer. This gave him even more one on one time with the Lord and not to take anything for granted and be present in everyone’s lives! We were blessed enough to take care of him these last eight months of his cancer journey and pray every night with him. He entered into heaven with us surrounding him with the Lord’s Prayer. He knew exactly where he was going on his last days.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
