Ronald Johnson

Ronald David Johnson was born on September 19, 1940, in Pine River, MN, to Ernest Johnson and Ruth Mary (Lauritzon) Johnson.
He died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and friends, after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
He married Joan Hess at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Regal, MN, on October 26, 1963. They were married more than 52 years and were blessed with four children 10 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
The couple lived and worked in various communities as Ron made a living in computer consulting, sales, and service. They lived in St. Cloud, Coon Rapids, Duluth and Cleveland, MN and Chippewa Falls, WI, before moving to Lake Ossawinnamakee, Breezy Point, MN, in 1985.

Ron enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing trips to Canada, hunting trips to South Dakota, playing tennis, cutting firewood, and making maple syrup each Spring for the past 15 years. One of Ron's favorite hobbies was preparing pig roasts for family celebrations.
Ron was passionate about community service. His involvement included the Pequot Lakes Lions, Restorative Justice Project of Crow Wing County, Guardian Ad Lidem for youth in Cass County, Breezy Point City Council, Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, St. Francis Catholic School Board, and First Responder for Crow Wing County. He was an active member of St. Alice and Immaculate Heart Catholic Churches, where he enjoyed working on church dinners and other events.

Ron is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Ann (Philip) Silgen of Deerwood, and Beth Johnson (Dan Becker) of St. Paul; sons, Douglas (Jane) Johnson of White Bear Lake, and Eric Johnson of Breezy Point; 10 grandchildren: Cally (Nick) Stevens, Jake and Alex Johnson; Andrew, Meredith, Jack, Will, Ellen, Margaret, and Emma Silgen; four great grandchildren: Cooper and Mackenzie Stevens, Charlie and Landon Silgen; sisters, Diane (Norm) Wick of Two Rivers, WI, and Betty (Dennis) McAllister of Pine River. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Ruth Mary Johnson.

Funeral Mass will be at 4:00 PM on Thursday, January 21, at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake, MN, with Fr. Ryan Moravitz officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral mass at church. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.

Memorials are preferred to the Diocese of Duluth Seminarian Endowment Fund In care of Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, PO Box 155, Crosslake, MN, 56442.