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Obituary for Donald E. Johnson
Donald E. Johnson, 81, of Grantsburg, WI passed away Monday, June 30, 2014.
Don was born August 6, 1932 in the farm home of Edgar N. and Emma (Anderson) Johnson located in Dahlgren township, Carver County, MN. Baptized and confirmed at West Union Lutheran church. Don attended grades 1-6 at District #4, a one-room school house 2 miles from the farm. Grades 7-12 at Waconia High School, Waconia, MN. He played basketball his junior and senior years. Graduated May, 1950. After graduation he stayed at home and helped his Dad and Uncle Roy with the farming. He was drafted into the Army in 1956, received basic training and advanced training in radio operation at Fort Chaffee, AR, then by troop ship to Mannhiem, Germany. After discharge he returned to the farm, starting up on his own, and also working for Ivar, his brother who was a contractor building homes and some commercial.
In 1959 Dorothy Mae Benson from Froid, MT, a student at L.B.I. Minneapolis, MN came to W.U.L.C. to teach vacation Bible school for two weeks. Don was introduced to Dorothy by a former pastors wife. On April 9, 1960 they were married at Froid, MT. They moved into the farm home and bought the farm in 1962.
Don enjoyed farming, carpentry, bowling, fishing, golf and family activities, camping with the Bethany fold-down camper. Beginning in 1966 the family spent a week at the Lutheran Evangelistic Movement family Bible camp on Lake Koronis in Paynesville, MN. A week at Bible camp was an annual family blessing for over the next 25 years.
In 1968 Don was diagnosed with a cold-weather allergy and had to seek inside work as a finish carpenter. The last 14 years as maintenance carpenter for Fairview Hospital system in Minneapolis, MN. Don served both as a trustee and deacon at W.U.L.C., Elder at the Waconia Alliance church, a board member of the L.E.M., Director of the Light House of Prayer ministry of the Bella Vista Baptist church in AR for five years, and served on the mission board of Trade River Evangelical Free church.
Don was a man of faith who loved to read the Bible and enjoyed being in Bible study groups. He was a man of prayer who put his relationship with his Lord and Savior first. A friend wrote to him on his 70th birthday, Don, you are a giant of a man in size and faith. You are a vital organ in the Body of Christ. You have displayed to us - hospitality, wisdom, friendship and love. Thank you for your love of God, your family and us.
In 1986 they sold the farm and moved to St. Bonifacious, MN. In 1994 they sold this house and moved to Bella Vista, AR. This was a highlight of his retirement years. In 2005 they moved back to rural St. Croix Falls, WI next to his daughter, Kim, her husband Joe, and family this extended good years being closer to all the family.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Emma; sisters, Inez Plocher, Irene Johnson, Lorraine Brahee; brother, Ivar Johnson; brothers-in-law, Harry Gillette, Ross Brahee; nephews, Randy and Michael Plocher. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Kim (Joel) Segner of Grantsburg, WI; sons, Kent (Sherrie) Johnson of Oakdale, MN, Kevin and Elizabeth Mimi Johnson of Bedford, MA; grandchildren, Stephen (Shaina), Martha, Bethany, Kathryn, Matthew, Isak, Jessi, Ermiyas; sister, Betty (Chuck) Hurl; sister-in-law, Janet Johnson; brother-in-law, Wilfred Plocher; nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at Trade River Evangelical Free Church in Grantsburg, WI on Saturday, July 5, 2014 visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Dale Van Deusen will be officiating.
An online guestbook is available at www.rowefh.com or www.wicremationcenter.com . Arrangements have been entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475 and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, 715-825-5550.
