The funeral service for Dale “Wild Red” Richard Johnson Sr. was at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Lissa Kahl will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Veteran’s organizations.

Dale died at his home on Thursday, May 9, 2002. He was 62 years old.

Dale was born in Hartland on June 16, 1939, the son of Selmer and Ruth (Hanson) Johnson. He lived in Freeborn County most of his life and attended Albert Lea High School. He served as an M.P. with the U. S. Army Reserves from 1957-1964.

Dale was united in marriage with his friend, lover, wife of 26 years, Joy Wyant at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. He worked for Albert Lea Auto Salvage for 30 years and drove truck for Country Spirit Trucking and most recently for Barry Jacobson Trucking.

Dale was a member of the Albert Lea Elks, Albert Lea Clown Troop, and served as the first director of the Albert Lea H.O.G.s. He had a love of motorcycle riding, but time spent with his children was most important to him.

Dale is survived by his wife, Joy of Albert Lea; six children: Dale R. Johnson Jr. and Loretta Johnson of Albert Lea, Sally Johnson of Austin, Ramona Schmidt and her husband Paul of Leland, Iowa, Sherry Williamson and her husband Chad of Myrtle, and Perry Johnson of Colorado; five grandchildren: Jordan and Dylan Williamson, Sara and Natalie Schmidt, and Shawn Madson; mother, Ruth Werner of Albert Lea; four brothers: Merrill Johnson and his wife Gail of New Richland, Steven Johnson and his wife Sandy of Albert Lea, Gilbert Johnson and his wife Mary of Albert Lea, and Paul Johnson of Arizona; four sisters: Delores Loe and her husband Orien, Darlene Hendrickson and her husband Jerry, Marlene Johansen and her husband Donald, and Julie Telles, all of Albert Lea; mother-in-law, Florence Wyant of Albert Lea; uncle, Maynard Johnson and his wife Ann of Myrtle; aunt, Ethel Peterson of Albert Lea; cousins, nieces and nephews; and special friend, Cuddles.

He was preceded in death by his father, Selmer Johnson; step father, Paul Werner; three brothers: John, Stanley and David Johnson; grandson, Tyler Johnson; father-in-law, John Wyant; and uncles and aunts.