Lance Creek, A Day in the Life - Don Johnson Family History
Lance Creek, a Day in the Life was held on Sunday, September 13, 2026 as part of America's 250th and Explore Niobrara events.
VIDEO: Don Johnson Family history with Sandra Johnson
The Don Johnson family history was written by Vicki Johnson Pinneo and read by her sister-in-law, Sandra Johnson.
Reuben A. Johnson was my grandpa
Born January 6, 1895
Passed away on his 76th birthday in 1971
Born in Wahoo, NE to Richard & Varinna Radcliff Johnson
He had 7 brothers and 4 sisters
Moved to Newport, NE as a young boy and went to school there
He married Mabel Carlisle on November 29, 1916 in Staud, NE
1917 filed for homestead in Lance Creek making trips back and forth until 1919 when he moved the family there. *(1)
Grandma Mabel passed away 1962
Remarried Frankie Frost 1967 later moving to Lusk
Had 3 sons-Wayne, Robert and (my dad) Don
2 daughters-Florence Lancster and Maxine Miller
19 grandchildren 6 great grand kids
He made his final trip back to Atkinson, NE to see 2 sisters and other family members when he had heart attack and passed away
*1
Brought belongings to Manville by train from NE and from there it was train and wagons of which part of the tack is at the Lusk Museum. He also brought wild horses to the ranch off the railway also. These wild horses remained on the ranch until it sold in 2000.
Grandpa always had his own way of getting a person up in the morning-sneaking into our bedroom and grabbing my big toe and twisting it to put me to the floor and then laughing as he left the bedroom.
He loved turnips washed off by the hose and we would see him with his old timer knife cutting them up, eating them raw, sitting outside always glad to share.
Grandpa always wore long sleeve shirts and bib overalls with his pocket watch in the front pocket and taught me to tell time cuz that was the only time I could hold it if I got the time right. I learned fast.
Grandma Mabel wore long dresses and an apron. Was always cooking. There was always people at the house when dad grew up. Dad would always say that is why he was so tall because being the youngest he was first to bed and everyone else piled in afterwards pushing him up against the wall. Squishing him to become the tallest of the family.
*2
So, this starts my memories of Lance Creek that has been there for generations. Pall Bears and honorary ones for my Grandpa Reuben were Alex and Dale Gunn, Luther Penfield Sr, Ray Pierce plus a few more amazing people. Carolyn Hammond was joined by Mrs. Hicks in singing the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross.”
Multiple houses were put together for my grandparent’s house and also my parents’ house. Good friend of family, Ray Pierce, was always around to help with carpenter work. One of my favorite memories of mine was when we finally put a new roof on the house. Dad, Ray and all of us kids were running around on just the 2x4 joists and mom was on the ground. Well next thing we knew here was mom up off the ladder she only made it a few steps and WHAM down she went caught herself straddling the 2x4. Tay the first one there saying Gloria, Gloria are you alright? She said yeah softly and Ray said “Well then I just gotta laugh” and he let out his monstrous laugh then mom was MAD!
Alex, Dale & Donna Gunn and their children were always at brandings that each family would have as we would go from one to the next. Dale would be filling vaccine guns, always remembered Dwight and Shelley (Gunn) Krein even before they were married wrestling calves and later branding. Then their own kids were later helping too. Donna helping mom with food.
Jack, Carolyn Hammond and the girls-Julie, Lisa & Sherri
What a loving family! If ever needed anything never had to ask. They were just always there. Jack, a man of many talents but a funny memory was when he was grading the corrals for us. So here he is with his big ol machine and I had my little toy dump truck and tractors thinking I was helping him loved his smile.
Carolyn oh my I don’t even know where to start the kindest, sweetest but also firm. Her talent never stopped. She could sing, as she did at programs, funerals, weddings and church. She taught sewing, cooking and horses in 4-H where we all learned right along with Julie, Lisa and Sherri. Strong in her faith and kindest to all. Never heard her say anything negative about anyone always something positive which we could all learn that. Plus, she was also the EMT there when I broke my ankle. She said “Sorry honey this is going to hurt but I have to pull your boot off to put on the air boot cuz I know you don’t want to cut the boot.”
This and a lot of many other memories of Lance Creek brings one full circle to a great number of family and friends who have always became my family. When you know you can’t do a branding without Buster’s angel food cake, Murrays homemade chocolate cake, Dad’s cherry pie and a fight over the blueberry pie with Dwight and Ken. All of this made my life growing up here the best I could ever want. My dad Don and mom Gloria were always there for me and everyone else too. Dad started the VFW here. He was in the Army as was many of my relatives. Memorial Day was always trimming around graves, flowers and visiting with people. Him and mom started the Lance Creek 4-H club along with the Hammonds, later the Millers, and many more kids. Dad loved to dance taught me and attended many square dances with mom. Mom was very active in the 4-H organization, American Legion Auxiliary and DAR also. We also had the last Grade A Dairy in Wyoming which we delivered milk to ones in Lance Creek always a fan filled school trip to show the milking procedure plus just how fast the milk would cool off after pouring it in the cooler. Also, items from this is at the museum in Lusk. Mom also grew up in the Lusk Free Lance Newspaper business with her father Art Vogel. Imagine writing a story with the letters one piece at a time. Mom continued working for the Lusk Herald writing Lance Creek news and several bigger articles for the paper. So, growing up if you thought your life was private Heck No because next week it was all going to be in the paper. The Lusk Museum also has a lot of the Free Lance’s equipment and memorandum. So, with all of this and much more growing up on the ranch with Artie and Debbie was very memorable. Us kids were expected to do chores and life with dad and all the animals. We milked cows, feed calves, chickens before school-then school-then activities whether sports and 4-H to start with in Lance Creek and then just got busier as we got older. But Lance Creek school was 3 teachers Mrs. Skillings, Mr. Hicks and Mr. Crowe when I went.
When I married Ken and we had Matthew and Daniel, I thought we had the best life. We live in Wheatland but spent 3 weekends of the month usually at the ranch. I wanted the boys to learn the life I had growing up. I wanted them to learn and respect the ranch life but also live in town and do all the school and activities they wanted. I will never forget that my folks and siblings where always there for me along with all the friends and neighbors of the Lance Creek community.