Obituaries » Donald B. Johnson
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Graveside Service: 11am Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, 15552 160th St., Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Funeral Home Walnut Grove Funeral Home
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Dear Family of Donald B. Johnson- Aloha and blessings to all as you grieve Don’s passing. May you find healing and strength for the journey ahead. Don and Ruth were my baptismal godparents, and I have fond memories of them both. I always felt their kindness and appreciated their good humor. Please know you are in my prayers. Beth Ziemke Davidann Kailua, Hawaii
Posted by Beth Ziemke Davidann on December 22, 2020
Saturday morning, December 19, my wife Carla and I drove from the cities to Walnut Grove. When we left Eden Prairie the sky was overcast and dark with clouds. As we rode, we talked about the pandemic and wondered what it will be like to attend a funeral without leaving the car, talking to, shaking hands and hugging people. Earlier in the year, because of our fear, we did not attend the funeral of a very close and dearly loved brother-in-law, which was held in a funeral home. The coronavirus acts very randomly, and at ages 75 and 66 we are described as “vulnerable.” But, thanks be to God, as people learn to adjust to a new challenge, we said, “What a great idea to be able to drive in and listen to the service on the car’s FM radio.” Then somewhere near Springfield we saw a sharp line of clouds dividing the sky, from low-hanging gray to bright blue, clear and open. As we turned north from Walnut to go to the cemetery it seemed like an everyday miracle how the sun had come out and warmed us up. We parked in a line of cars on the north side of the road, with a view of the gravesite canopy and the people gathered there. Helpful persons came by to greet us, give us a bulletin, and make sure we knew where to tune our radio. I can barely describe how beautiful Trinity cemetery was to our eyes; the sun high overhead, intense, yet tempered by the time of the year. The shadows were long, even after 11 a.m., streaming through the pine trees. This cemetery is the only place I know on earth where I can stand and turn in any direction and see the grave of a directly related ancestor, and several close families. It is a silent testament to those early immigrants on the prairie, and how they worked and lived together. And now, after long years of caring for that cemetery, after serving in several community agencies, after serving in the U.S. Army and after farming close by, in God’s peace, Donald Johnson is laid to rest. We love you Donald and are deeply grateful for the family line that you and Ruth have parented. We remember how Ruth wanted to make sure we visited your kids and took us on a tour of some of their family homes. During that tour it was sometimes like hearing an echo of my own father, your first cousin, Alvar Bernhard Walfrid Johnson. I remember you warning me to slow down and look carefully when approaching a corner where sight was limited by tall corn, just like Dad used to do. And over the years I’ve come to believe there is something about military service that can impart patience and steadiness to one’s character; you were a good example of that. Remarkable, most of all, was the underlying sense of happiness and joy which you seemed to have, and rely on, even when events weren’t happy. The “farmer who loved art,” said Pastor Bailey at your funeral. We certainly saw that in your home. Donald, something struck me, like a bolt from the blue when the scripture was read. The passage was John 14:1-6. These words were central to your cousin Alvar’s belief. In fact he asked that verse 6 be inscribed on his own gravestone. But perhaps it isn’t a coincidence. Those cousins who learned about Christ at home and at Trinity Church, and believe in Jesus, though separated by space and time, cannot be separated for eternity if they are in Jesus Christ; nor can any man or woman whom God has called according to his purpose. Donald Bernhard Johnson, rest in peace. Your First Cousin once removed, and his wife, Jim Walfrid and Carla Headlee
Posted by Jim Walfrid and Carla Headlee on December 21, 2020
My condolences to the family on your Dad's passing. He was always a man of the highest integrity and sincerity whenever I dealt with him. He will be missed.
Posted by Kerry Knakmuhs on December 19, 2020
To the family of Don Johnson, I would like to extend my condolences to Don's extended family on his recent passing. I served with Don on The Redwood Electric Board for many years. Over the years I do not remember a time he missed a meeting. He was a very personable and Christian man. May God Bless him and his family. Gilbert Schmitz
Posted by Gilbert Schmitz on December 18, 2020
So sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Our sympathy to you all. Tim & Marilyn Grefe
Posted by Tim & Marilyn Grefe on December 18, 2020
Sorry to learn of Don's passing. I have many fond memories of the Johnson/Ziemke friendship as neighbor farm families and church members at Trinity. Between the two families we filled up nine spots on Bus #3! My sympathies to Brian, Bruce, Eric, Bradley, and Linnea as you say good-bye to your dad.
Posted by Zindie Meyers on December 17, 2020
Sending my deepest sympathy to the family of Donald Johnson. Edie Barrett, Ortonville
Posted by Edie Barrett on December 16, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I always enjoyed chatting with Don, his humor, wit and knowledge was unmatched. All the best.
Posted by Jason & Devon Swanson on December 16, 2020
Our condolences to Donald's family. He was the last of his generation in the Johnson family tree and he will be sorely missed. It was always a pleasure to visit with Donald.
Posted by Scott Truedson on December 16, 2020
Condolences to family. We appreciate that the burial is in Trinity Lutheran rural cemetery, Walnut Grove.
Posted by JOHN & CAROL PEARSON on December 15, 2020
TO THE FAMILY OF DONALD JOHNSON. SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. IT IS NEVER EASY TO LOOSE A PARENT. DONALD WAS WELL LOVED AND KNOWN BY MANY. HE ALWAYS KEPT BUSY DOING THINGS. HOPEFULLY THE DAYS AHEAD YOU FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING HE WAS LOVED BY MANY. REST IN PEACE DONALD. MICHAEL MAAS
Posted by MICHAEL MAAS on December 15, 2020