Douglas Kirt Johnson, 51, of Independence, Iowa died in his home on Sunday February 7, 2016 after a battle with esophageal cancer.

Doug was born July 28, 1964 in Harmony, MN to his parents Willard and Norma (Hanson) Johnson. He graduated from Preston-Fountain Schools in 1983 and attended Rochester Vo-Tech and Wynona Vo-Tech for Carpentry and Small Business Management. He married his wife Tammy Tjepkes in 1984 and they started their family in Preston, MN. He and his wife opened Imperial Design Cabinetry and were self-employed. Doug loved his work building cabinets and furniture. Doug moved his family and his business to Independence, IA in 2000 where he lived for the rest of his life. Doug loved to travel and his favorite hobbies were riding on his 2003 Harley-Davidson Roadking Classic and loading up his family for road trips.

He is survived by his wife Tammy Johnson, Independence, IA, three children; Autumn Johnson, Evansdale, IA, Holden Johnson, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Macey (Derek) Doty, Oelwein, IA, four brothers; Gary Johnson, Spring Valley, MN, Jeff Johnson, Granger, MN, Greg Johnson, Galesville, WI, and Wayne Johnson, Spring Valley MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will be holding a memorial gathering on February 13, 2016 at the Independence, IA VFW from 12-5. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Doug’s life. In lieu of flowers the family will be taking donations to help cover Doug’s final expenses.