Robert L. Johnston

Robert L. Johnston, “Bob”, passed away on December 27, 2025, at the Wilber Care Center in the presence of his family. He was born on July 2, 1943, to Robert Harold Johnston and Ermina Elizabeth (Hoyle) Johnston in Beatrice. He attended and graduated from Cortland High School and was a member of the United Church of Christ in Cortland. It was at this church that Bob met the love of his life, Karen McCune, in Sunday school where his mother Ermina was their teacher. Bob married Karen Sue McCune on September 21 st , 1963. They were blessed with three daughters and raised them on the family farm south of Cortland. Bob retired from the State of Nebraska Department of Roads after 36 years of service. He established a wildlife habitat on the farm and was well known for operating the Highland township maintainer. Bob as an avid outdoorsman and hunted elk, deer, turkey, pheasant and quail as well as a lifetime fisherman. Some of his favorite times were spent camping and boating/fishing with his family. Bob liked to say he was a Jack of all trades, master of none. His family would say he could do anything that needed to be done from carpentry to plumbing to electrical and mechanical jobs.

Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Karen (McCune) Johnston of Cortland, daughters,  Karolyn (David) Pethoud of Firth, Susan Schwartz of Beatrice, and Wendy (Mark) Milne of Gretna. Granddaughters, Mackenzie (Tim) Smith of Beatrice and Elizabeth (Shane) McCreedy of Martell, Grandson Seth Milne of Gretna. Great grandchildren Ivy and Reid Smith, Holden and Nolan Morey and Connor McCreedy. Son-in-law, Michael Schwartz. Cousins Jay (Kae) Hoyle, Grant (Melodie) Hoyle, Walter (Shirley) Hoyle, Gary (Ruthie) Hoyle, Linda Stewart, John and Mike Hoyle. Numerous second and third cousins, many friends and neighbors.

Preceding Bob in death are his parents Robert and Ermina Johnston, grandparents, Walter and Bessie Hoyle and Robert and Sylvia Johnston, parents-in-law Loren and Helen Balderson, sister-in-law, Kay McCune and Judy McDonald, cousin-in-law Tom Stewart, grandson-in-law Alex Morey, aunts and uncles and cousins David and Brian Hoyle.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 8. 2026 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice with Rev. April McPherson officiating. A luncheon to follow at the American Legion. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wilber Care Center in care of the mortuary. Inurnment at a later date. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements. 

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