Gerald Johnson, 81, Ellendale
Published 12:00 am Friday, May 9, 2008
Funeral services for Gerald A. Johnson of Ellendale will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Lutheran Church of Ellendale. The Rev. Arne Halbakken will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Ellendale, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Ellendale. Military honors will be accorded by the Steele County funeral unit.
Mr. Johnson died Wednesday morning at St Marys Hospital in Rochester. He was 81 years of age.
Gerald was born Jan. 5, 1927, in Steele County, the son of Art and Jugena (Strenge) Johnson. He was a graduate of Ellendale High School and joined the U.S. Army soon after.
Gerald was a member of the First Lutheran Church and a Steele County resident all of his life. He was a very dedicated assistant manager of the Farmers Mill and Elevator in Ellendale for over 37 years. He was a volunteer fireman, member of the American Legion and VFW.
Gerald was an avid baseball fan and coached little league for many years. He helped educate area children the value of baseball and made gloves and balls available to the kids. He coached and umpired for Town Team baseball and basketball. Gerald was inducted into the Freeborn County Softball Hall of Fame in 1988. He was a kind, honest,
patient man with a fun sense of humor.
He enjoyed his grandchildren, Gopher sports, the Dodgers, playing cards, Western novels, morning coffee and spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Gerald is survived by his children, Rick and his wife Beckie of Ellendale, Ron and his wife Jolee of Geneva, Ryan of Ellendale, Rollie and his wife Cheryl of Ellendale, Lu Ann and her husband Brad Prescher of Ottertail, and Ross (Poke) and his wife Bunny of Ellendale. There are 11 grandchildren, Casey, Corey and Chelsey Johnson, Amy Svoboda, Josh, Kady, Ethan and Garret Johnson, Brittany and Amanda Patterson, and Landon Johnson. There are three great-grandchildren, Gage and Gracie Svoboda and Jozie Johnson.
Also surviving is one brother, Donald and his wife Gail Johnson of Owatonna, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; son Roger L. Johnson; grandson Avery Johnson; brother Art Johnson; and sisters Gladys Johnson, Lorraine Veblen and Lyla Holland.
Sincere thanks to our special family friend, Sue Cory, for all of her help.