John "Jack" Merle Johnson

John “Jack” M. Johnson was born on June 20, 1930 to John and Ethel (Paul) Johnson in Lake Benton Township, Minnesota.  He was raised on a farm south east of Lake Benton and attended country school through eight grade.  He graduated from Tyler Public School in 1949 and enlisted in the Army Reserve after graduation.  He actively served in the US Army from 1950 – 1952, and was a member of the Army Reserve from 1949 – 1957.  After a short time studying to be a mortician at Augustana, Jack joined his father and his three uncles farming.  While at a dance at the Showboat, Jack met the love of his life Connie Larsen.  The couple was united in marriage on August 20, 1960.  In 1963, Jack and Connie moved onto the Paul family farm, where they worked together for the next 32 years.  Farming and family were very important to Jack and he gave a lot of himself to managing his land and raising his four children, Jon, Jim, Joe, and Pat.  While raising a family on the farm, 4-H was important to instill the couple’s values in their children, both serving many years as 4-H Leaders. In 1995, after building their dream home, Jack and Connie “retired” from the farm to move to their new home.  Jack continued to help on the farm but enjoyed traveling with Connie throughout the US and other countries.  On June 27, while residing at Lakeview Senior Living Center in Balaton, Jack passed away peacefully at the age of 93 years and 7 days.

Jack was an active and faithful member of the First English Lutheran Church for all of his life, serving many years on the church council.  He served actively in his community as a member of the American Legion Post #185, the Tyler Kiwanis Club, and the Tyler Lion’s Club.  Growing up next to Lake Benton Lake helped Jack become an avid sportsman.  He enjoyed several long hunting and fishing trips throughout his 20’s.  In his retirement years, he turned that sense of adventure to driving his Ranger, helping on the farm, and golfing. He also liked to watch his Minnesota teams, the Gophers, Twins, and Vikings.  The most important things to Jack were family, faith, and farming and this is where he invested a lot of himself throughout his life.  He was always hard working and took great care of his wife, his family, and the farm.

Jack is lovingly remembered by his children, Jon Johnson of Tyler, Jim (Kristi) Johnson of Fargo, North Dakota, Joe (Peggy) Johnson of Hendricks, Minnesota, and Pat (Jena) Johnson of Warsaw, Missouri; grandchildren Blake Johnson, Kayla (Corey) Erickson, Aaron (Sydney) Johnson, and Tyler (Lexy) Johnson; great-grandchildren Leslie and Graham Erickson; as well as many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Johnson; parents John and Ethel Johnson; and siblings Joyce, Lois, and Lloyd.

In leiu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Tyler Hospice Program (a part of the Marshall Regional Medical Center) at:

Avera Foundation