Congratulations: Vicki Johnson Inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame

Information reprinted with permission from Boot Hill Museum, boothill.org.

Every year legendary Kansas cowboys and cowgirls are honored for their contributions to the western life as they are inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Dodge City. Vicki Johnson, from Irsik and Doll Feed Yard, received the 2016 Working Cowgirl award and was inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame.

Vicki Johnson, the oldest of five girls, was born July 15, 1950 to LeRoy and Ruby Lohman in Lakin, Kansas. She was raised on a farm near Kendall, Kansas in Kearny County where she spent her entire childhood and early adult life helping her family farm 5000 acres and raise shorthorn cattle as she assisted her mother with household duties and cared for her younger sisters. Her caretaking extended to when she had to separate calves from their mothers, feed them when the cow was incapable, and keep them warm during the harsh winters.

Vicki was heavily involved in the local 4-H Club and was a member of the Peppy Workers 4-H Club until she graduated from Kendall High School. She participated in livestock showing and judging as well as the domestic arts. One of Vicki’s first loves was horses.

While in high school, she was honored as Rodeo Queen of Kearny County. Vicki attended Garden City Community College with the goal of pursuing a career in journalism.

With the birth of her son, Marcus, after a divorce, she became a single mother; the hardships of which helped her develop into the self-sufficient, strong and independent woman she is today.

In 1975, Vicki returned to her love of agriculture and livestock when she started working for A.I.D. Feed Yard in Syracuse, Kansas.

In 1979, she met and married Steve Johnson who was a teacher, coach and administrator.

In 1981, they had daughter, Marci, and soon moved to their current home in Holcomb. The owner of A.I.D., R.D. Lowrance offered her a job with Lobo Cattle Company in Garden City in 1982.

In 1994, Lobo became Irsik and Doll Feed Yard where she continues to work today. In the past 41 years, Vicki has been through the highs and lows of the cattle market and seen numerous changes.

The industry has gone from no computers to everyone carrying a mini-computer – their cell phones. Vicki has been a mentor for women in the cattle feeding business as well as to students as a sports coach and cheerleading sponsor.

She has been awarded Beef Cattle Quality Assurance and Non-Ambulatory Cattle Care Management certificates.

Vicki has an excellent working relationship to those she works with and with her employers. She has worked tirelessly putting in extra hours and days in a highly organized and dedicated manner, while exhibiting the utmost in honesty and integrity.

Her son, Marcus, is a successful military officer and he and his wife, Sara, have blessed the Johnsons with three grandchilden, Emmalee, Gunnison and Lizzy.

Her daughter, Marci, is a nurse practitioner and will be getting married in the summer of 2017.

Congratulations to Vicki Johnson, we feel so blessed to work with someone who is a great caretaker and positive influence in the industry.

Thank you, Vicki, for all you do!

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