Ernest Johnson

Ernest R. "Ernie" Johnson died on Monday, October 6, 2008 at the Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. Born June 22, 1911 at Warman, Minnesota to Charles and Alfrieda (Haraldson) Johnson, he moved with his family to the Pine River area at the age of 3 years. He attended the Clough Lake Country School, rural Pine River and graduated from the Pine River High School. Ernie attended the Bemidji State Teachers College, then returned to Pine River to work for his family's lumber mill. He married Ruth Mary Lauritzon on November 4, 1939 at Walker, MN and made their home on the family farm. In 1943, they moved into Pine River where they opened Johnson Brothers Lumber Company. Ernie retired in 1972 and they began spending the winters in Arizona. Ernie and Ruth Mary entered the Riverside Villa together in 1994. Ruth Mary passed away in 2001 and he moved to the Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in December of 2006.

Ernie served on the Pine River School Board, the Pine River Commercial Club where he had served as president and was a Boy Scout leader.

He enjoyed bird hunting, fishing, woodworking, bowling, dancing, playing cards, and wine making.

Ernie is survived by his three children, Ronald (Joan) Johnson, Breezy Point, Diane (Norman) Wick, Two Rivers, Wisconsin and Betty (Dennis) McAllister, Pine River; ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, two grandchildren and eight brothers and sisters.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pine River. Burial will be in the Pine Ridge Cemetery in Pine River. The Kline Funeral Home of Pine River is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center and the American Heart Association.