Bryan Johnson

Bryan Blaine Johnson, sixty-one years of age, of Pequot Lakes, MN, met his maker, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom he gave all praise and glory, on December 11, 2021.

Bryan was born on May 18, 1960, to Bryce Burke Johnson and Bernice Beatrice Koehler. He had one older sibling, whom he adored, Brent Burke Johnson, born September 29, 1956.

He went to Beacon Heights Elementary School in Plymouth, Minnesota and later attended a Maritime Academy on the East Coast, followed by further maritime classes at Texas A&M. But throughout his life, study was secondary-to friendships, He loved his schoolmates and other friends, his family, life, nature, his beloved German Shepherd, Dakota, and her canine predecessors.

Bryan married Sandra Goals, March 21, 1992, in New Bern, North Carolina. Sandra’s daughter, Suzie, became part of their family. Bryan and Sandra divorced, and the lovely Sandy died young. Every year, on the anniversary of her death, he mourned her passing.

Bryan lived and worked in construction for thirty years in North Carolina, returning to Minnesota to help take care of his father, Bryce, during his last years.

Throughout his life, he worked as a builder and a carpenter, fussing with projects until they were “perfect”.

Bryan was the kind of person who spoke in superlatives. Brent was a “best” brother, Jessica Warner and Jackie Johnson were the “greatest” nieces, he treasured his aunts and uncles and cousins, and he had the “best” neighbors.

Bryan was preceded in death by his father, Bryce Burke Johnson on March 4, 2017; his paternal grandparents, Roy Ernest Johnson on October 6, 1977, and Grayce Burke Johnson on October 9, 1994. He lost his maternal grandparents Rudolph Koehler on September 5, 1984 and Taimi Amelia Bass Koehler on November 17, 2000.

To me, his mother, he was a thoughtful, kind son. On my birthday, less than two months before he died, he sent me a bouquet of flaming red and yellow flowers accompanied by a note that read, “Thanks for the great memories.”

To his friends, who remain behind, especially to Joey and John, Terri Spielman, Jim Gustafson, Willy Watt, Bobby, Margaret, and to Derek in Minnesota, as well as to his dear friends in North Carolina, he would have said the same “Thanks for the great memories.”

We will have a celebration of life ceremony near his home in the spring of 2022. Bobby and Margaret will supply music and Bryan’s family will provide food and drink. Details will follow. You may call Bernice at 218-821-8565 or 612-922-5462 or email at Bernice.johnson@gmail.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.