Gerald Johnson

Gerald Roy "Jerry" Johnson, 73, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully Thursday evening, August 28, 2014, at his home after a lengthy illness. Gerald was born on June 27, 1941 at Greenbush, MN, the son of Harold Sidney and Carol Fay (Keuhn) Johnson. He grew up in Greenbush, was baptized and confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and graduated from Greenbush High School in 1959. Jerry enlisted in the US Navy just a few weeks later on June 25th. He served aboard the USS Luiskno out of the US Naval Station at Newport, RI, and spent time at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy on June 20, 1962, Jerry returned to the area and attended Mayville (ND) State Teachers College. He later transferred to Moorhead (MN) State Teachers College, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in 1966. On December 26, 1965 he was united in marriage to Pearl Mavis Gunderson at the Ness Lutheran Church at Gary, MN. Over the years their marriage was blessed by the births of 3 children: twins, Janelle and Julie, and son, Paul. Jerry and Pearl made their first home at Detroit Lakes, MN and Jerry's first teaching position was with the Olivia, MN Public Schools. In 1968 the Johnson family moved to Crookston, and Jerry began teaching in the Industrial Technology Department of Central High School. He was extremely proud of his students over the years as he mentored them through the process of building 25 high quality homes that were sold to local homebuyers. Jerry did post-graduate study through Bemidji (MN) State College, and summers were spent doing silo construction, grain bin construction, and tending the strawberry farm he and Pearl operated for many years. After a long and very rewarding career in education Jerry retired in 1999. Jerry was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the American Industrial Arts Association, the National Education Association, the Retired Educator's Association, and Crookston American Legion Post #20. While growing up, Jerry enjoyed hunting with his parents, and eventually sharing that same passion with his son and grandsons. Snowmobiling trips with family and friends were always a highlight of the winter season, and camping and traveling with Pearl, the kids, and grandkids was a great way to spend spring, summer, and fall. One of his favorite pastimes was making furniture for their home and the homes of his daughters and son. In recent years Jerry and Pearl had been spending winters at Apache Junction, AZ. Jerry was a very loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who shared in his life. May God richly bless his memory. Jerry leaves his beloved wife of 48 years, Pearl; their 3 children: Janelle (Steven) Thompson of Fargo, ND, Julie (Matthew) Johnson of Champlin, MN, and Paul (Tracy) Johnson of Port St. Lucie, FL; and 6 grandchildren: Daniel and Jacob Thompson, and Jarod, Anna, and Heather Johnson, and Marin Johnson. He is also survived by 4 sisters: Myrna Johnson of Greenbush, MN, Sharon (David) Hanson of Seattle, WA, Bonnie (John) Nordstrom of Frazee, MN, and Janine (David) Schneider of Detroit Lakes, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Carol Johnson. A funeral service celebrating the life of Gerald Roy Johnson will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Bill Reck, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7:00pm, with a 7:00pm prayer service and time of sharing. Visitation will also be at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery at Greenbush at 3:00 pm Wednesday with Military Honors provided by the Greenbush American Legion Post #88.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Service
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
cemetery
Wednesday, September 3, 2014