Walter Ronald Johnson

Mr Walt Johnson of Pine City passed away Monday, January 11, 2016 at the Abbott-Northwesrtern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 84 years. Walter was born to Andrew and Helen (Soderbeck) Johnson on April 4, 1931 in Rock Creek Township near Pine City. Walt attended country school along with his siblings. After high school Walter pursued his many talents and interests including dairy farming, farm machinery sales, carpentry and ultimately owning his own successful lumber company and construction business. In 1956 he married Lucille Saumer and fathered four children; Jerry, Julie, Douglas, and David. Walter loved flying and owned several airplanes over the course of 50 years. He enjoyed hunting trips with his boys and fishing trips to Alaska and Canada, and in his later years enjoyed spending his winters in Florida near his sister Arlene. Walter went on to receive the Pine City "Citizen of the Year" award and the "Melvin Jones" award through the Lions Club. He thoroughly enjoyed volunteering his time to the community that meant so much to him. Walt Johnson is survived by his children: Gerald Johnson and wife Charlene of Canyon, Julie Billstein and husband Michael of Lake Elmo, Douglas Johnson and wife Rose of Emily, David Johnson and fiancée Robin of Pine City, 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, his sisters Jeanette Anderson of Minneapolis, Arlene Engel of Florida, Jeannie Westerman of Grasston, brothers Harold Johnson and wife Ruth of Champlin, Raymond Johnson and wife Helen of Buffalo and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Helen (Soderbeck) Johnson, brother Arnold Johnson and sister Margery (Berl) House. Monsignor Alexsander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Pine City; a time of visitation and reviewal is planned Thursday evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Swanson Chapel and one hour prior to the Mass at church. A spring interment is planned in the West Rock Cemetery in Rock Creek. Memorials may be directed to: Lion's International or Pine City Senior Center. Funeral arrangements for Walt Johnson of Pine City are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City; Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com