Lorne Johnson

Lorne Johnson, 85, of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of rural Argyle, MN, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2020 in Mesa, AZ under the care of hospice.

Lorne Kenneth Johnson was born on January 18, 1935 in Robinhood (near Glaslyn), Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of John A. and Julia (Paulson) Johnson. As a young child, he moved with his family to Bigwoods Township, Marshall County, MN where he attended Country School. Lorne graduated from the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston in 1953. On June 23, 1959, he was united in marriage to Marlene Aasand. They began their marriage in the San Fernando Valley of California and returned to Minnesota in 1971 to begin farming. Lorne was a member of Bigwoods Lutheran Church.

Lorne enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time at the lake, and woodworking. Many custom furniture pieces are cherished by his family. He liked to travel and especially enjoyed a six-week trip to Alaska to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary. He enjoyed warm Arizona winters, playing guitar, and singing good old country music.  Lorne had a farmer’s heart and long after retiring would still go out to check the fields. He was fiercely proud of his work, his children, and his grandchildren. He was especially fond of his great granddaughter, Rylan, born one day after his 84th birthday and called her his “Little Pumpkin” and “Stubba” (little one in Norwegian).

Left to mourn his passing are his wife Marlene; a daughter Deb (Charlie) Kadrlik of Cannon Falls, MN; a daughter Vicki (Brent) Loeslie of Rochester, MN; a son Ken (Kim) Johnson of Argyle, MN; grandchildren: Nate (Lola) Johnson of Oxnard, CA, Austin and Peyton Loeslie of Rochester, MN, and Abbey, Leah, and Kellen Johnson of Argyle, MN; great-granddaughter Rylan; sister, Karleen (Lee) Eberly of Lancaster, PA, sister-in-law Clara Johnson of Moorhead, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Curtis, Calmer, Raymond, and infant sister Darlene.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oslo, MN.

VISITATION: One hour before services.

INTERMENT: Bigwoods Lutheran Cemetery in rural Oslo, MN

MEMORIALS PREFERRED TO: Bigwoods Lutheran Church or Bigwoods Lutheran Cemetery