Herb Johnson, 92

Herbert J. Johnson, age 92, of Cannon Falls, died on Saturday morning, March 16, at Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls.

Herb was born on March 15, 1921, at the family farm near White Rock, Minn., the eldest child of Herbert V. E. and Eleda (Swanson) Johnson. He graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1938, from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1942, and then enlisted in the Naval Air Corps. He received his commission and Navy "Wings of Gold" in November of 1943 and served in the Pacific. After being discharged in 1946, he served in the Naval Reserves and flew for a year during the Korean Conflict.

Returning home after WWII, he studied engineering at the U of MN, but flying was in his blood and he joined Northwest Airlines in 1949. It was at Northwest that he met his future wife, stewardess Merry Jo Arends. They were married on March 30, 1951, at Fort MacArthur in California. They moved back to the family farm in White Rock in 1954 where he continued to farm and fly for Northwest.

Herb was a lifelong active member of St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church, served on the Cannon Falls School Board, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and drove people to various appointments. He would visit folks in the hospital and Angels Care Center and then drive around town visiting those who were no longer able to get out and about.

Herb enjoyed gardening, sharing a cup of coffee with family and friends, helping at the farm, picking berries, playing gin rummy, and making wine, lefse, and his famous fudge. He had a deep love of all of God's creatures. He was always willing to offer a helping hand and was someone who would give you a smile and make you feel like a million bucks.

He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Merry Jo; daughter Diane Johnson of Cicero, Ill.; daughter Linda Johnson of Eagan; son Scott and daughter-in-law Tesha Johnson of Cannon Falls; grandchildren Erik Johnson, Shea-Lynn (Luc) Ramthun, and Lindsey Johnson; brother-in-law, John Robertson; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert V. E. and Eleda (Swanson) Johnson; his sister, Jeannette Robertson; and his brother, Irving Johnson.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 21, with visitation from 12-1 p.m., at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. Interment will be private.

Memorials are preferred to Angels Care Center of Cannon Falls or St. Croix Hospice.

Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren Erik Johnson, Shea-Lynn and Luc Ramthun, and Lindsey Johnson. Active pallbearers will be Don Rapp, LeRoy McCusker, Rod Prink, Steve Hyllengren, Bruce Tilderquist, Jeff Samuelson, Larry Johnson, and J. D. Leland.

Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. Online condolences may be directed to www.lundbergfuneral.com.

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