Raymond Johnson

Raymond Sherman Johnson was born December 1, 1920 to Sever E. and Mary (Henningsgaard) Johnson in Osakis, MN. He passed away January 3, 2010, at age 89, at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena. Ray was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Osakis and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran in Little Sauk. He attended school in Sauk Centre and later Teacher’s Training, eventually teaching in rural schools in Todd and Stearns Counties. In August 1942 he joined the U.S. Army serving as a Corporal in the Army Air Corp with the 374th Air Service Squadron. He was stationed at Kelly Field in Texas and served overseas in Australia, New Guinea, and other South Sea islands, until his honorable discharge in December 1945. Ray was united in marriage with Eva Strobeck on August 14, 1946, until her death 2 weeks later on August 29, 1946, due to polio. Ray and Leona Hope Anderson were married on May 31, 1953 in Osakis. His livelihood was as a salesman beginning with Coast-to-Coast in Sauk Center, insurance, and for the US Chamber of Commerce in 1960, until his retirement in 1980. In his later years Ray drove for Bob Thompson’s Auto Auction in New York Mills. He was a member of the VFW, sang in the church choir, and played clarinet in the school and American Legion bands. His interests and hobbies included music, gardening, camping, working on cars, riding motorcycles, caring for his pets, telling jokes and WW II stories. He especially loved spending time with his family. Raymond was preceded in death by his first wife, Eva; his parents; brothers James, Jerome, and Orvylle; and sisters Marion, Sylvia, and Lillian. He is survived by his loving wife, Leona; son Kurt (Gail) of Andover; daughters Kristin (Mick) Scott of Pequot Lakes, Julie (Mike) Lawrence of Park Rapids, and Jean (Bill) Beck of Coon Rapids; grandchildren Alex Johnson, Mike, Angie (Pete Olson), Becky, Jake, and Jenny Scott, Elliot, Megan, and Mindy Lawrence, and Anders and Aaron Beck; great-granddaughters Hailey, Ella and Malena; and sister Gloria (Robert) Bofferding of Minnetonka. Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. on January 9, 2010 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena, with Pastors Rob Nelson and Rachel Stout officiating. Honorary pallbearers were all of Ray’s grandchildren. Interment will be in the Wadena Cemetery.

Raymond Johnson

December 1, 1920 - January 3, 2010