Marvin "Pat" Johnson

The Celebration of Life for Marvin (Pat) Johnson of Bertha will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 23rd at the New Life Church of God in Bertha, MN with Pastor Ken Uhren of the Hewitt United Methodist Church presiding. Friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 AM until the time of services at the church Lunch and fellowship will follow the celebration. Pat was born February 3rd, 1939 to Watson and Lena (Koehler) Johnson at home in Woodside Township. He and his twin Marlyn (Mike) were born during a snow storm and family members had to fetch the doctor with a team of horses. Pat was born first. Per Mike, he kicked Pat out and enjoyed his own space for a half an hour. Pat graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School in 1957. He left the farm and moved to the big city of Minneapolis to work. He worked as a supervisor for Western Union for almost 20 years. During his working years, he was called to serve our country and became a company clerk in the army. Give Pat an iron and he could press the shirt on your back! He was also the care taker at the places he lived before owning his own home and loved making sure everything was neat, clean, and in order. When he moved back to Hewitt, he took seminary classes and was an assistant lay-speaker for the Methodist church for 26 years. He loved serving the Lord and others-this was his true calling! Western Union is where Pat met the love of his live, Jean Lewko. He said they fell in love on the dance floor and were united in marriage on October, 29th, 1966 at the Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church in NE Minneapolis. Pat lived on his farm for almost 40 years. Everyone who visited knew that his door was always open, the coffee pot was on, and food was always on the table. He worked countless hours to keep an immaculate lawn (he walked the perimeter of the yard daily to make sure every dandelion and stick were removed). He enjoyed canning, cooking, entertaining, dancing, gardening, playing cards, reading, and most of all, visiting with friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Pat passed away on April 12th, in the loving arms of his children and granddaughter. He took his last breath as they were saying the Lord’s Prayer. He has always been ready to meet the Lord and now he is home! He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean in 2010; parents Watson and Lena Johnson; brother Vernon; sister’s Lila (Raymond) Johnson; Donna (Arndt) Hoyhtya; and granddaughter Jordan Harp. He is survived by his daughters Jodi (Gio) Rivera of Chanhassen, MN; Alicia (Kevin) Harp of Raymond, MN; his granddaughter Te’Neil (Darryl Lee) Harp of Clara City, MN; great grandchildren Serenity, Tre’ and Alivia Lee of Clara City, MN; brothers Ivan (Alice) Arndt of Blaine, MN; Mike (Verla) Johnson of Richfield, MN; Watson (Donna) Johnson of Blaine, MN; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by is family and friends. Military honors will be provided by the William Larson American Legion Post 366 of Bertha. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery in Wrightstown following the luncheon.

Marvin "Pat" Johnson

February 3, 1939 - April 12, 2016