Larry K. Johnson went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at his home in Thief River Falls, MN.
Memorial Services will be held at 4:00 PM, Saturday, February 4, 2012 at St. John Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Aaron Zuch officiating.
Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN.
Larry was born May 9th 1934 in Thief River Falls, MN to Julius and Wilma (Strang) Johnson. He was raised in Thief River Falls, attended Knox Elementary School and Lincoln High School. He graduated and went on to continue his education at the Thief River Falls Area Vocational School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from February 1953 to October 1973. He retired from the army with credit for 21 years. His foreign service included 2 years in Germany, 15 months in Korea and 3 years in Vietnam. Larry married Linda Anne Yankee, March 24, 1983 and together they continued to raise three daughters: Rebecca, Angela and Vikki.
After retirement, he continued his education receiving a degree in Computer Science. He worked for a few years in micro-electronics retiring in 1990 at the age of 56 with a medical disability.
Larry has been actively involved in Christian music, regularly singing for the residents at Good Samaritan Center and the congregation at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Larry has shared his talent from Arizona to Minnesota.
Larry was a member of Warren American Legion Post #27, a life member of VFW post #3817, past member of the board of directors of the Marshall County Historical Society, a member of Warren Senior Club, as Santa Claus for Warren Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Thief River Falls Education Foundation. Larry represented Marshall County at the 2004 Minnesota State fair as the County Outstanding Senior. Larry volunteered in many capacities at Old Mill State Park, among them portraying Lars Larson Jr. at the annual Grinding Days.
Larry is survived by his wife, Linda, Thief River Falls, MN; his children, larry K. (Brenda) Johnson, Jr., Reno, NV, Patricia (Randy) Hamil, Fayetteville, AR, Jerry Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO, Lynn Johnson, Atascosa, TX and Vikki Ash, Underwood, ND; two step-daughters, Angela Thompson, Chicago, IL and Rebecca (Dan) Moore, Colorado Springs, CO; four sisters, Leone (Norman) Morton, Independence, MO, Marilyn (Raymond) Simmons, Independence, MO, Janet Masters, Blue Springs, MO and Joanne (John) Tevis, Kingsville, MO; eighteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; one brother-in-law, Jack Masters. And many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends..
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the church.
Funeral notice provided by Johnson Funeral Service of Thief River Falls, MN.
