Merlin "Mert" Johnson

Merlin “Mert” Harold Johnson, 85, of Pine River, MN passed away on July 12, 2024. He was born on November 8, 1938, in Chokio, MN to Harold and Dorothy (Davidson) Johnson. At age 17, the Johnson family moved to Pine River, where Mert met and married his sweetheart, Charlotte Goochey, on June 28, 1958.

Mert graduated from St. Paul Bible College before they returned to Pine River with their 4 young sons. He worked many years at Durkee Mfg. until it closed.

He had a heart for church and missions work. He taught Sunday School for over 40 years at Riverview Tabernacle in Pine River. He spent many years serving the church in various capacities. They served several months as short-term missionaries in Bolivia with World Gospel Mission. 

Mert had a passion for Farmall tractors, gardening, and old cars – his favorite being the ’57 Chevy. He loved creating projects in his woodshop with the grandchildren.

Mert was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gary, and his son, Rod.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 66 years; his brothers, Darrell (Georgia) and Dennis (Twana) and sisters Leanne Laubenstein and Jeanine (Bob) Waal; daughter-in-law, Kathy, sons, Gene (Angie), Donnie (Shelley) and Jeff (Holly), as well as 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 11 am at Riverview Church, 310 Norway Ave., Pine River, MN 56474. There will be a visitation held one hour prior to the start of the service at the church. The service can be viewed remotely on Riverview Church's YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/@riverviewchurchofpineriver

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to World Gospel Mission, PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952-0948 https://wgm.org/