Lester D. Johnson

Lester D. Johnson, 79, of Moorhead, MN, died Monday, January 27, 2014, in Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo, ND.

Lester Dean Johnson was born the son of William and Otelia (Coltom) Johnson, June 8, 1934, in Minneapolis, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Gustav Adolph Lutheran Church in Strathcona, MN, where he grew up. He attended school in rural Strathcona and graduated from Greenbush High School in 1953. Lester entered the U.S. Army, serving from 1956 to 1958, spending 18 months in Germany.

On June 6, 1959, he was united in marriage to Marlene Fay Anderson in Greenbush, MN. Lester worked for Northport Mobil in Fargo and Froelich Garage in Dilworth, MN, before working for 24 years as a mechanic for the city of Moorhead, retiring in 1996. He also fixed lawn mowers for many years.

Over the years Lester wore many hats. He was a firearm safety instructor for 30 years, a Boy Scout leader for 15 years, served on the Police Auxiliary for 20 years and as a Clay County Sheriff reserve for 5 years. He was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, youth committee, head usher and ushering team for several years.

Lester enjoyed their lake place on Leif Lake for many years and enjoyed pulling his children and then grandchildren on water skis and tubes for hours. He was also known to his grandchildren as "Grandpa Taxi," transporting his grandchildren anywhere they needed to go.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene; son, Todd (Sharon) Johnson, Avondale, AZ; daughters, Michelle (Brad) Bohm, Blanchard, ND, and Marla (Eric) Hillman, Mapleton, ND; grandchildren, Cassondra Bistodeau (Adam Welter), Amanda, Matthew, and Michael Bohm, Samantha and Catherine Johnson, and Devin and Kyra Hillman; stepgranddaughter, Jessica (Shane) Hayes; great-grandchildren, Addison and Easton Welter; stepgreat-grandchildren, Tristan, Isaac and Ariella Hayes; brother, Curtiss (Clydene) Johnson, Strathcona; brother-in-law, Odeen (Dorothy) Anderson, Lake Bronson, MN; sister-in-law, Maxine Anderson, Detroit Lakes, MN; three nephews and three nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerome Johnson; and brother-in-law, Merlin Anderson.

Lester will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation: Friday, January 31, 2014, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM, Prayer Service in Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Moorhead.

Memorial Service: Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 2:00 PM, in Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Moorhead.

Interment: Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead, MN

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead)