Funeral services for Walter Edwin Johnson, 92, of Albert Lea, will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Dwight Netzer will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at Hartland Cemetery.
Walter died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at Good Samaritan Society.
Walter Johnson was born July 28, 1917, to Bertin John and Ida Bertina (Thompson) Johnson in Northwood, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed a Lutheran and was currently a member of First Presbyterian. He grew up on a farm north of Freeborn and attended District 98 and graduated from Freeborn High School. On Feb. 14, 1939, Walter was united in marriage to Elaine Celeste Kopperud at the Johnson family farm. Walter worked at various occupations: farmer, auto mechanic, dragline operator, and retired from Wilson & Co. as a millwright. He enjoyed volunteering for Laborers for Christ, Lutheran Lay Renewal, Builders for Christ and participating and supporting Missionary Fellowship in Austin. Walter’s favorite pastimes were motorhome traveling, tree trimming, hunting, fishing, gardening, bird feeding and watching, and dog ownership.
Survivors include his wife, Elaine; son, Wayne (Sarah) Johnson; daughters: Judy (Ted) Hellie and Jill (Jerry) Morstad; son-in-law, Glen (Kathy) Gauss; grandchildren: Eric (Deb) Johnson, Siri (Mark) Kalthoff, Jana (Wayde) Paulson, Heather (Jeff) Thuringer, Tim (Jackie) Morstad, Jeni and Erin Gauss; great-grandchildren: Alexa and Sydney Paulson, Sean and Tae Kalthoff, Riley and Cole Thuringer, Grant Morstad, and Noah Johnson; sister, Beulah Jacobs; brothers-in-law: Neuman Riskedahl and Gary(Marvyl) Kopperud; and sister-in-law, June Johnson and Louise(Donald) Johnson, and a large extended family.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; infant son; daughter, Cheryl Gauss; grandson, John Hellie; brothers: Orville and Delmer; sisters: Carmen Yocum, Lauryne White, and Dorothy Riskedahl.
Blessed be his memory.