Karl Harold Storjohann, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 31st, 2025.
Karl was born on January 10th, 1937 in Spencer, NE. He grew up in O’Neill and spent summers on his Aunt and Uncle’s farm in Spencer. Karl had fond memories as a child of shooting squirrels, going to church, and working for his dad, Lawrence, at the sale barn in Atkinson. Karl attended Curtis, Atkinson, and Chamberlain high schools and worked on hay crews every summer. After graduating in 1956, he joined the army. He was trained as a medic and was stationed in Japan. He married Marilyn Dee Wattson in July of 1957 and had three daughters; Lisa, Karla, and Vicki.
After the army, Karl briefly furthered his education at Montana State University. In 1964, he took his education and experiences to the agricultural world where he began advertising Livestock Auction Markets on television. During this chapter of his life, Karl flew his airplane around the Midwest and Canada attending numerous hunting and fishing trips with friends. He became a pilot in 1964 and spent over 50 years flying airplanes for work, to visit friends, and for personal enjoyment.
In 1977, Karl moved to Chadron, Nebraska. He married Jan Hagaman in 1978, and they, along with daughters Kerri and Kris, moved to their 160 acre homestead south of Chadron in 1980. Karl built their house and multiple barns where he bred and sold quarter horses and held his business headquarters. He founded Feedpro, Inc. in 1985 where he formulated cattle feed and sold up to 18,000 tons a year to ranchers across the Midwest.
In his retirement, he took countless hunting, fishing and packing trips. Karl continued to be a business entrepreneur by owning businesses in town and selling hay that he put up well into his 80’s. Karl built a Sonex sport airplane and gyroplane in his shop and found a new hobby publishing articles in airplane magazines. Karl continued to influence the agricultural world by speaking at Chadron State College about business and animal nutrition. He spent his time following rodeos, woodworking, reloading ammunition, and grilling. One of his favorite pastimes was drinking craft beer on the porch of the cabin he built on the family homestead. Karl always wore a smile and made friends everywhere he went.
Karl deeply treasured the time he spent with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs where he delighted in being around his church family. He greatly enjoyed taking his grandchildren flying or shooting, swapping stories with friends over coffee or a beer, and continually giving his time and effort to those around him.
Karl is survived by his wife Jan; daughters Lisa Yeager Kylen (Dave), Vicki Redinger (Linn), Kerri Caparoon, Kris Anderson (Kurt); sister Rose M. Storjohann; niece Deanna Hill; grandchildren Candace Robinson, Cameron Redinger, Tiffany Homola, Seth Redinger, Cassie Hallstrom, Cody Clark, Paul Clark, Ashley Clark Smith, Lyndi Sturgeon, Rylee Anderson, Kade Moore, Karsen Stokely; and 32 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Dora Storjohann, father Lawrence (Alma) Storjohann, brothers Larry and Roger Storjohann, daughter Karla Clark and son-in-law, Dana Clark.
Karl’s celebration of life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs Nebraska on Saturday, February 8th at 10am with Pastor Allan Wierschke. A viewing will be held at Zion Lutheran Church at 9am. Please join the family for a luncheon at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Chadron Nebraska following the committal at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, P.O. Box 970, Chadron, Nebraska, 69337. Online condolences may be left at http://www.chamberlainchapel.com