Hjalmar "Lee" Johnson, 92, of Milan, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

Lee was born on April 23, 1932, in Morrison County, Minnesota, the son of Bernard L. and Johanna (Fruechte) Johnson and grew up on his family's farm the "Petersen Place". After high school, he found work as a farmhand in Salina, Kansas where he met Dorothy "Jane" Price. During their courtship, Lee proudly joined the U.S. Marine Corps. They married on June 26, 1954, and moved to Cherry Point, North Carolina where Lee was stationed until 1955. Afterward, Lee went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Pittsburg State College in 1958.

Lee's passion for engineering along with his vast mechanical knowledge of farm machinery led him to the Quad Cities to work for the J.I. Case Tractor Company as a Field Service Representative, fulfilling his ambition for working with and repairing agricultural farm equipment. They bought a home in Milan in 1960, where they raised their two daughters, Corinne and Jeannine.  Lee's career path also included work as an engineer at Eagle Signal, and Manager of Plant Engineering for the Harvest Day Bakery. He retired as a skilled machinist from the Rock Island Arsenal in 1994.

A devoted husband and father, Lee loved to spend time with his family. He spent many years taking care of his grandkids, driving them to and from school, helping them with their math homework, and teaching them about how tools and machinery worked. He played golf and utilized his mechanical skills by fixing or building things around the house and for his family. He was physically strong naturally and had a healthy appetite. His favorite treat was lemon bars, but he was known for making delicious black cherry ice cream on the Fourth of July. In recent years, he enjoyed going to the YMCA, where he made friends and would faithfully exercise daily to stay strong, healthy, and independent. He was also a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Lee is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Corinne and Ronald Morõn, and Jeannine Gothard; five grandchildren, Lindsey (Jason) Launius, Nick (Hannah) Morõn, Jared (Daidre) Gothard, Brett Morõn, and Sierra Gothard; and great-grandchildren Oliver Morõn, Lincoln and Wrigley Launius, Maxwell Morõn, Calliope and Clarabelle Gothard, and Kennedy Jane Morõn. Also left to cherish his memory are his nieces and nephews, Jim, Carol, Thomas, Eric, Neil, Ned, and Jeff Johnson, Becky Galligan, Leonard Jr. and Douglas Price, Jeanne Goodman, Connie McLoughlin and David and Jeff Wessling.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jane; brothers, Willard, Byron, and Irving Johnson; and nieces and nephews, Bob and Calvin Johnson, Kay Earhart, Gary Price and Martha Beiber.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Nick Morõn, Brett Morõn, Jared Gothard, Jason Launius, Trayton Hockemeier, and Jim Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2024, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 E. 4th Avenue, Milan. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. The burial with military honors will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island.

Memorials may be made to the Milan American Legion in Lee's memory.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with Lee's family on his tribute wall at www.wheelanpressly.com.