This is the new patio that was dedicated last week in the memory of the late Willis Johnson, who was instrumental in getting the project done at Landmark I.

By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

Residents at Landmark I apartments in Valley City held a dedication service on Oct. 9 in memory of Willis Johnson, who died on Aug. 29.
It was Johnson's idea (along with several of the residents) to build a patio on the south side of the building. Johnson then took it as his project and got the OK from the owners, Bob and Elaine Beyer, to go ahead with the plans. He planned and designed it, and then his sons, John and Jeff, built the patio.
Elaine Beyer said before they had the patio, the residents would just sit on chairs outside the building. Now that they have the patio, the residents got together and bought some lawn furniture, a grill and a large ice chest. They also planted flowers, and one of the residents, Ken Dawkins, planted flowers and waters them. He also planted some tomato plants.
Johnson had been a contractor in Valley City for many years, and now his sons have taken over the business. Johnson started working for Wick Construction in Valley City during the 1950s as office manager/accountant and eventually bought the business.
Johnson and his wife, Mavis, had lived in the Landmark I apartments since they were first built about four years ago. Johnson enjoyed the time he spent there, residents said, especially the patio.
Elaine Beyer said she is so happy the residents went ahead with the patio project. She said she and her husband mainly built Landmark I and Landmark II so people would stay in Valley City. The Beyers also reside in the Landmark apartments. She said residents get together in a meeting room downstairs (there are three floors) at least once a month to celebrate birthdays, or just to socialize, which is what the Beyers had in mind when they went ahead with the apartments.