Gaylen Leo Johnson, 78 of Grinnell, died on March 17, 2020, at Unity Point Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center surrounded by family. A private family Celebration of Life service has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 19th, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. A private family graveside service with military rites will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20th, at the Story City Cemetery, Story City, Iowa In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrf.org), St. John's Lutheran Church of Grinnell or your local fire department. Gaylen was born on June 20, 1941 in Story City, the son of Gaylord and Aileen (Sunnoe) Johnson. He was raised in Story City and graduated from Story City High School in 1959. He served in the US Navy from 1959-1962. On October 19, 1968, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Olson, in Story City. The couple made their home in Story City where they raised three children. In 1990, they moved to Grinnell. Gaylen served as the charter president of JC's, in various capacities at Immanuel Lutheran and on the Story City Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years. He was employed at Donhowe Motors (later Gookin Ford) of Story City, Ahrens Implement of Story City and retired from ASI Signage in Grinnell. Gaylen was an avid fisherman, loved to read history books, enjoyed tinkering in his shop, was a big Minnesota Twins fan, and lived for attending all of his grandkids' activities as their biggest supporter. He was a member of St John's Lutheran Church. Gaylen is survived by his wife, Kathy, of 52 years; one son, Chad (Wendy) Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; two daughters, Kelly (Chad) Rose and Karri Johnson (Troy Becker) of Grinnell; eight grandchildren, Cam, Nora and Grady Johnson, Jarrett and Eli Rose and Braden, Noah and Abigail Furness; one sister, Kathy (Robert) Naig of Cave Creek, Arizona and many nieces, nephews and good friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents.