Dennis R. Johnson

Dennis R. Johnson, 90, rural Audubon, Minnesota, died on July 2, 2010, in Park River, North Dakota after nearly three weeks of heart troubles and hospital care. Neighbors and family honored Dennis with a 90th birthday party on June 11 at his beloved home and family farm south of Audubon. His apparent good health changed on June 14. Dennis Ray Johnson was born to Lillie (Dahlberg) and Vernon A. Johnson on June 11, 1920 at Westbury, Minnesota. After moving to and working several seasons at Harrington Farms, Erie, North Dakota, Vernon and Lillie brought their preschool sons, Donald and Dennis, to the Audubon homestead, where Dennis enjoyed the rest of his years. He graduated from Audubon High School in 1938, especially disliking algebra and loving basketball, baseball and time back at the farm. On October 3, 1950, he married Lorraine Swanson. Dennis purchased numerous Nut Goodie candy bars at Lorrainechr(39)s parentschr(39) Swansonchr(39)s Grocery Store in Audubon as he pursued Lorrainechr(39)s heart. The courtship was not long; the marriage was nearly 60 years. Dennis and Lorraine spent their years farming south of Audubon. They moved to the family farm in 1959. Dennis gave his life to the care of his family, the nurture of his farm and the privilege of life together with his neighbors in church and community. He was an avid sports fan throughout his life, always in high hopes for the Minnesota Twins. His is survived by his wife, Lorraine, and their two daughters and spouses: Sheryl and Orville Kjelland, Park River, North Dakota; and Rebecca and Wes Aardahl, Bismarck, North Dakota; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Nathan and Britt Jacobson and their daughter, Clara, Park River, North Dakota; Laura and Travis Thorvilson and their daughters, Ella and Lillie, Fisher, Minnesota; Aaron and Becca Kjelland and their sons, Sander, Jonas and Torfinn, Edinburg, North Dakota; and Kristian and Nils Aardahl, Bismarck, North Dakota; two sisters-in-law, Ellen Johnson, Spring Valley, Minnesota; and Evelyn Johnson (Chester Anderson), Lake Park, Minnesota; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Donald and Lowell; and three sisters: Audrey (Virgil) Thorson, Darlene (Gene) Squires, and Loretta (Bill) Jorgenson. Several years ago, Swedish relatives undergoing a construction project near Bollnas, Sweden, discovered boxes of letters written by Dennischr(39)s grandfather, Jonas H. Johnson. Jonas wrote endearing letters to his family in Sweden, from his years as a 17-year-old immigrant through his years as an old man, settled with family and farm. These letters opened the way for rich story and memory. A Johnson family reunion was held in 2007, in which seven couples in Dennischr(39)s Swedish extended family came to visit and celebrate the good gift of family, farm, and faith. Beloved baptized child of God, faithful worker with us in the kingdom of God, This servant and friend, father and husband, grandfather and great-grandfather, leave our hearts wishing for good years beyond 90. We trust in Godchr(39)s faithfulness to all who mourn and we celebrate the hope in Christ with Dennis knows now and eternally.