William Bruce Johnson

William Bruce Johnson, of Aurora, MN, age 95, passed away peacefully, in Edina, MN, on January 13, 2024. Born in Virginia, MN on December 31, 1928, he was raised in Aurora, MN. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Aurora High School and the University of Minnesota, Duluth. William served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as a teacher in Korea. After military service he taught in Two Harbors, MN, where his favorite subject was Minnesota history, before becoming a principal in Silver Bay, MN. In 1957, he married Nancy Knuti and in 1959 he returned to his hometown to work in the local bank where he retired as president, at age 73. William was a proud and committed member of his community. He served on the boards for the city library and cemetery, was active in the Lion's Club and American Legion, and served as trustee of the Aurora United Methodist Church where he counted the deposits each Sunday for over 40+ years. In retirement he volunteered, with others, to maintain and water the city gardens and cemetery. Throughout his life, he was physically active. He skied downhill and cross-country, golfed, biked, and continued to walk whenever possible. He was especially proud of his yard and gardens and was a lifelong lover of music having played both the clarinet and piano. In 1969, William and his wife, Nancy, purchased a lakeside cabin that was to become the center of their family's life. He loved time at "the lake" whether daily swims, teaching children how to dive off the dock or water ski, family dinners, canoe rides in early morning, and entertaining children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. He and Nancy especially cherished the shared cabin memories with their granddaughters, Kate and Elli. In 2021, to be closer to his family, he moved to an assisted living facility in Edina, MN. William's family thanks the staff at Ebenezer York Gardens for their wonderful care of their father over his last few weeks. William was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bertha (Robertson); daughter, Lisa Ann; wife of 63 years, Nancy Elizabeth (Knuti); and sister, Barbara Pickering. He is survived by his children, Christopher (Susan), David (Dan), and Bruce (Cindy); granddaughters, Kate and Elli; nephew, Jeff Pickering; nieces, Jill Solem and Sharon Johnson; and many, many friends. Funeral service will be Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11 AM at the Aurora United Methodist Church, 110 E 4th Ave N, Aurora, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to the Aurora, MN Public Library, or the Northern Lights Music Festival.

Tributes

William Bruce Johnson

December 31, 1928 - January 13, 2024

Tributes

William Bruce Johnson

December 31, 1928 - January 13, 2024

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