David William Johnson

David William Johnson passed away on January 25th at the age of 96 at Johanna Shores in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Dave was preceded in death by his father, John Oscar Johnson; mother, Anna Lindstrom Johnson; brother, Murray Clemens Johnson; and his beloved grandson, Jonathan William Schafer. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Gerry (Geraldine), children Wendy (and Dave), Bruce (and Kay), and Janet (and Geoff), plus 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Dave was born in Stillwater, Minnesota, on November 21, 1927, where he lived until he joined the army towards the end of World War II. He received the GI Bill and pursued college education at Gustavus Adolphus in St Peter, Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He met the love of his life, Gerry, while working at Glacier National Park in Montana. He worked as an industrial engineer for 30 years with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; and finally Salinas, California - where he and Gerry raised their family. He was very active in the Salinas community through his church, his children's activities, and various community organizations such as the YMCA and Easter Seals. He finished his working career at NCR in St Paul, MN, at age 67 and subsequently continued to work part time with H&R Block into his early 80's. Dave dearly loved his family and was a devoted husband, dad, and grandparent. He loved the change of seasons, and cross-country skied in the winters and gardened in the summers well into his 80's. He treasured the little Swedish "stuga" he and Gerry fixed up on Little Hanging Horn Lake in northern Minnesota. In retirement, he actively volunteered at the American Swedish Institute, the Garden Club of Minneapolis, and Meals on Wheels. He was an adventurer at heart and loved to travel and meet new people. He was excited to have visited all fifty states and many countries. His curiosity and enjoyment of life's many opportunities resulted in endless ideas for family activities, projects, and hobbies. He loved making his grandchildren laugh and was very intentional about being part of each of their lives. Dave continued to be devoted to his wife Gerry after a series of strokes required her to move into the Johanna Shores long-term care center. He spent most every afternoon by her side and often took her on special outings, including the Minnesota State Fair just this past summer. His Christian faith was most important to him, and he lived it out each and every day in how he walked humbly and treated everyone with kindness and respect. He and Gerry attended Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for 40 years, where he served in many ways. For the last four years, he lived in an apartment at Johanna Shores and developed a community of friends. He thoroughly enjoyed the company and support from the people there. Dave was loved by all, and his kind, humble, steadfast presence, ever-hopeful attitude, and beautiful smile will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 St Anthony Pkwy, Minneapolis, at 11:00am on Thursday, March 14. Visitation will begin an hour earlier at 10am, and a luncheon will follow the service at Mt. Carmel. Memorial donations may be made to the American Swedish Institute or the Garden Club of Minneapolis.

Tributes

David William Johnson

November 21, 1927 - January 25, 2024

Tributes

David William Johnson

November 21, 1927 - January 25, 2024

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