Salt of our Earth

Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Everett LaVerne Johnson, 83, of Pelican Rapids died Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at Lake Region Hospital of Fergus Falls.He was born June 11, 1921, in Pelican Rapids, to Victor and Lottie (Hanson) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at Central Lutheran Church in rural Pelican Rapids. In 1939 he graduated from Pelican Rapids High School and then attended Gustavus Adolphus College for one year. During World War II he served in the United States Navy on a troop transport and at Bethesda Naval Hospital. After discharge he attended the University of Minnesota, receiving a mortuary science degree. In 1944 he married Florence Webb in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1946 Everett and his brother, Virgil, opened Johnson Furniture in Pelican Rapids and operated Johnson Funeral Home from 1947 until 1970. In 1971 he married Rhoda (Allen) Dillon in Pelican Rapids. He retired from the Johnson Furniture Store in 2003. He was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church, where he loved to serve in many areas. He was superintendent of the Sunday school, a faithful member of the choir and on the anniversary committee. He was a member of the Pelican Rapids City council, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions, and Pelican Centennial Committee. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post #5252, serving as commander, and American Legion in Pelican Rapids. He was also a member of the Saddle Club and Western Steam Threshers Union in Rollag, Minn. He is survived by his wife Rhoda of Pelican Rapids; 3 sons: Dennis Johnson of St. Hilaire, Minn., Dave (Diane) Johnson of Pelican Rapids and Jeff (Kathy) Johnson of Pelican Rapids; 2 daughters, Lucille (Stephen) Jonason-Colantti, Erie, Pa., and Linda (Robert) Toso of East Grand Forks; 2 step-sons, Jim (Lynette) Dillon of Mill Creek, Wahs., and Tom (Mary) Dillon of Maple Grove, Minn.; 3 step-daughters: Carol (Larry) Ghan of Pocatello, Idaho, Kathryn Dillon of St. Louis, Mo., and Nancy (Tom) Soberg of Pelican Rapids; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; 6 step- great-grandchildren; sister, Verona (Richard) Rollie of Pelican Rapids; sister-in-law, Agnes Johnson of Pelican Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lucille Georgine; brother, Virgil; and first wife, Florence. Memorials to donor's choice preferred in lieu of flowers.
Visitation: Sunday, July 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church of Pelican Rapids; visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Service: Monday, July 19, 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Pelican Rapids
Clergy: Rev. Dave Eggebraten
Burial: Maplewood Lutheran Cemetery of rural Erhard
Military Honors: V.F.W. Post #5252 of Pelican Rapids
Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home of Pelican Rapids