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Raymond Donald Johnson, 85, of Fergus Falls [UPDATED]
Published 5:52am Monday, January 21, 2013 Updated 7:58am Monday, January 21, 2013He was born in rural Wheaton on May 20, 1927, the son of Ernest and Hilda (Granberg) Johnson. Raymond was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Traverse County.
Growing up on the family farm, he attended rural school.
In 1946 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea, being honorably discharged in 1948.
On Sept. 14, 1952, he married Helen Mills. They were blessed with a son, Gary Lee.
The couple farmed in Monson and Redpath Townships of Traverse County from 1948 to 1990. In 1997 they moved to their home in Elbow Lake where they lived until moving to Fergus Falls in 2009.
Raymond enjoyed snowmobiling, camping and fishing at Pomme de Terre Lake, especially with his brother-in-law, Ira Mills. He was an avid deer hunter near Little Fork for 51 years. Raymond was fond of John Deere tractors and memorbelia; also a loyal Twins fan. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 5909 and the museum in Wheaton.
Ray served on the Church Council of Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Wheaton during the merger with Hope Lutheran Church to form the Good Shepherd Church He remained a member until moving to Elbow Lake and joining the United Lutheran Church, where continued to be a member.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Paul Johnson; three sister-in-laws, Lila Johnson, Hazel Mills and Leona Mills; brother-in-laws, Ira Mills and Dwain Leversee.
Survivors include his wife, Helen of over 60 years; a son, Gary Lee (Kay) Johnson; step grandchildren, Tummara (Mike Norgren) Holm, Tay Holm and Autumn Roman of Fergus Falls; step great grandchildren, Shadow Holm of Alexandria, Harmony Holm and Braydon Roman of Fergus Falls. A special “granddaughter,” Jodi (Trevis) Shimp and a special “great granddaughter,” Malia Shimp of Aplington, Iowa; three godchildren, Sandra Bernard of Fairmont, North Dakota, Terry Sather of Parkers Prairie and Linette Lupkes of Anchorage, Alaska; a sister-in-law, Irene Leversee of Santa Rosa, California and three pen pals, Jodi Shimp of Aplington, Iowa, Apphia Zink of Wolf Creek, Oregon and Tammy Madsen of Menahga, Minnesota along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Cancer Treatment Center of Fergus Falls or United Lutheran Church of Elbow Lake.
Visitation: Two hours prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Monday, at United Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake
Clergy: Rev. Bob Toso
Burial: Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton, at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, with military honors provided by Wheaton V.F.W. Post 5909
Funeral Home: Faith and Hope Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fergus Falls
Condolences may be sent online at faithhopefh.com
