Richard Johnson

Richard “Dick” E. Johnson, age 79, of Ottertail, MN, formerly of Wadena passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Home in Battle Lake under the care of Red River Valley Hospice Care. Richard Ellis Johnson was born on December 29, 1931 in in Browning, Il, to his parents Charles “Pete” and Freida (Ellis) Johnson. He was the third of four children. Dick was raised and educated in Schuyler County, Il. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduation from high school. During a bone chilling winter in Cheyenne, WY, he volunteered for Radar School, not really knowing what radar was. He was stationed in Wadena for the remainder of his four year enlistment. Dick was the “parts guy” at Goetz-Everson Motors in Wadena before moving to California in the 1960s. Dick returned to Minnesota in 1976 and was employed at C & M Homes in Little Falls. Dick and Cicely “Cis” Richardson Brill were married in Sisseton, SD on May 6, 1977. They lived in Little Falls and California, and returned to Wadena in 1979. Dick was employed as an Energy Auditor for Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council in New York Mills for 23 years. He enjoyed meeting clients in their homes, and helping them receive the weatherization they needed. He retired in September 2001. Dick was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was known for his beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. He was a true caretaker of the land, understood nature, and loved animals. He and Cis fostered many kittens for PAWS, and adopted some of them. Dick enjoyed gardening, planting trees, fishing, John Deere collectibles, and do-it-yourself projects. He was a deacon at First Congregational United Church of Christ for several terms, serving as Chairman and Secretary of Diaconate. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Freida; and brothers Charles “Ed” and Robert “Bob”. He is survived by his wife Cicely of Ottertail; sister Mary Nell (Bide) Thomas of Rushville, Il; daughters Tammy Johnson Mavaro and Tom Schwartz of Ottertail, Suzanne Brill (Pat) Benson of Richfield; son Steven (Carolyn) Brill of Royalton; grandchildren Tina Mavaro of Santa Barbara, CA and Tony Mavaro of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law Giugi Johnson of Frederick, Il; nieces and nephews, friends, his lake buddy Mert Daulton; along with special and beloved cats and his dog, Sadie. Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. on December 8, 2011 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wadena, with Pastor Marli Danielson officiating. Inurnment will be in the Wadena Cemetery.

Richard Johnson

December 29, 1931 - December 4, 2011