Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight
SIOUX FALLS — Tim Johnson’s legacy stretches across South Dakota.
It’s in each drop of water from the Mni Wiconi water project, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System, and several other water systems in South Dakota, said former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle at Johnson’s funeral on Friday in Sioux Falls.
“They weren’t just legislative accomplishments but lifelines that brought water, stability and prosperity to thousands of South Dakota farmers and ranchers,” Daschle said. “And they stand today as monuments to his commitment to improving the lives of every person he served.”
Daschle and Johnson, both Democrats, worked together at the federal level for 18 years. Johnson served a combined 36 years in state and federal offices — the longest in South Dakota history. He served 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and 18 in the U.S. Senate, after eight years in the state Legislature.
Johnson, 77, died on Oct. 8. Since 2006, he had dealt with the lingering stroke-like effects of brain bleeding caused by a cerebral arteriovenous malformation.
Along with his infrastructure achievements, Johnson was known as an advocate for tribal nations in South Dakota — the Mni Wiconi project, for example, serves the Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Lower Brule reservations. He was also known for working across the aisle to help save South Dakota’s Ellsworth Air Force Base from closing in 2005, for obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars in congressional spending earmarks for projects across the state, and for securing important committee posts on the Indian Affairs Committee, the Appropriations Committee, and as chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
Hundreds of people attended Johnson’s funeral, which was also broadcast live on KELO and Dakota News Now. Prominent Democratic former and current officeholders attended the ceremony, including Daschle, former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, tribal leaders, and state and local officials.
Republicans Gov. Kristi Noem, former Gov. Dennis Daugaard, former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler and current U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds and John Thune also attended. Thune, who lost to Johnson in a 2002 U.S. Senate race, worked with Johnson for 10 years after defeating Daschle in 2004.
Thune remarked after the ceremony that although parties have political differences, he worked with Johnson to find common ground on issues of importance to South Dakotans.
“He had a powerful work ethic, and he was a man of character and integrity,” Thune said. “As sad as today is, we celebrate that legacy and heritage and grieve with his family.”
Johnson was remembered by Daschle and other speakers for being fair-minded and authentic, for his quiet strength, wry humor, “profound” dedication to public service and for being an “exemplary human being.”
Johnson never lost an election. While he didn’t earn all South Dakotans’ votes in his 36-year run in politics, Herseth Sandlin said, he valued his constituents’ opinions enough to listen and earn their respect.
Above all, he was lauded for his dedication to his family, ensuring his two sons, daughter and wife remained the central part of his life. Brooks Johnson, one of Johnson’s sons, said the greatest gift he’s received was to be raised by Tim and Barbara Johnson, who set an example of courage and the importance of valuing family.
“Dad, thank you so much. I miss you,” Brooks said, on the edge of tears.
But Tim Johnson “wouldn’t want to be remembered as perfect,” because “he wasn’t,” said Brendan Johnson, the late senator’s other son and a former U.S. attorney for the District of South Dakota.
For starters, Brendan joked, preparing a grilled cheese sandwich was his dad’s highest culinary skill.
That endearing flaw, coupled with memories of Johnson’s humor and resilience, transcended family and politics. Even one of Johnson’s spiritual leaders, the Rev. Lori Hope from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, said she will never forget the smell of Johnson’s “grilled” cheese sandwich — prepared in a microwave.
“A unique smell that still reeks in our memories,” Hope added.
Johnson has “yielded the floor,” Hope concluded in an allusion to U.S. Senate terminology, but his example will continue to influence those who loved and admired him.
“We will pray for courage to carry out Tim’s legacy,” Hope said, “of hard work, tenacity, humor, openness, compassion, kindness, generosity, hospitality, compassion and love.”