Ronald B. Johnson

RONALD BERNARD JOHNSON was born to Enoch John and Olive Angeline (Griffin) Johnson on September 13, 1932 in Lake Benton, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton. Ron and his family lived on a farm three-and-one-half miles southeast of Lake Benton. He started school in District 2, and in 1940 the family moved to a farm five miles south of Lake Benton where he attended District 10. He attended District 69 and then high school in Verdi, Minnesota. After completing his education, he farmed in the Lake Benton area until he entered the U.S. Army in 1956. During his time spent in the military he first went to Fort Chaffey in Arkansas, then to Fort Louis in Washington, and spent one year serving in Korea. Following his honorable discharge in 1958 he returned to Lake Benton to farm with his father and brother. The farm became a Minnesota Century Farm in 1991. In October 2008 he entered Central Minnesota Senior Care Center in Lake Benton. On November 19, 2009 he moved to the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne, Minnesota where, on Monday, November 19, 2012 Ron died surrounded by his loving family at the age of 80 years, 2 months, and 6 days.

Ron was a member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton. He was a member of the American Legion – Henry Sollie Post #10 in Lake Benton. He enjoyed using his John Deere farm equipment, collecting Garfield and John Deere collectables, and taking care of his cats, dog, and cattle. He especially enjoyed spoiling his nieces, nephews, and the kids in his neighborhood. He lovingly cared for his aunt, Mrs. Dewey Smith, from 1971 until her death in 2006.

Ron is lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law, Sherry Karen Johnson of Marshall, Minnesota; nieces, Pamela Petersen and her husband LaWayne “Red” of Annandale, Minnesota, and Christine Knutson and her husband William of Sun Lakes, Arizona; nephews, Michael Johnson and his wife Lisa of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Dr. Thomas Johnson and his wife Tami of Sartell, Minnesota; four grandnieces, three grandnephews, four great-grandnieces and one great-grandnephew, and many other relatives, neighbors, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Enoch and Olive Johnson; and his brother, Dennis V. Johnson.

Blessed be his memory!