David LeRoy Johnson, of Newfolden, MN, age 65, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 27, 2013 at the Evangelical Free Church in Newfolden, MN with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating. Burial will be held at the Bethesta Cemetery, Marsh Grove Township, rural Newfolden. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, December 26, 2013 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Friday at Evangelical Free Church. David LeRoy Johnson was born on June 4, 1948 in Thief River Falls, MN to Harold W. and Avis (Bakke) Johnson. David was their second child and brother to Helen. Later, in 1948, Harold died from complications received during his service in WWII. On March 21, 1951 Avis was united in marriage to Melvin J. Mattson and to this union four children were born, Beverly, Marlys, Marlin and LaVonne. They lived for a short time in South Dakota and then returned to Thief River Falls. They eventually made their home in Newfolden, MN. David was confirmed at the Evangelical Free Church in Newfolden, MN. He graduated from Newfolden High School in 1967. On February 21, 1968, David entered into service with the United States Navy. He spent 1968 and 1969 in Vietnam with the Seabee's. He was Honorably Discharged in 1976 and returned to live in the Willmar, MN area for a short time until moving to Mt. Iron, MN where he worked for U.S. Steel. David had a medical retirement from there in 1991. He moved back to Thief River Falls and had various part time jobs, the latest being a greeter at Walmart. David enjoyed carpentry, especially woodwork, gardening, fishing, hunting, doing mechanical work on cars, listening to music, attending local concerts, and visiting with his family and friends. He was a member of the Otto Knutson Post 427 in Newfolden, MN and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 in Thief River Falls, MN. Survivors include his special friend & companion, Elaine Miller of rural Newfolden, MN; siblings, Helen Flodstrom of Swift Falls, MN, Bev Johnson of Crookston, MN, Marti (Rodney) Benson of Benson, MN, Marlin (Sue) Mattson of Newfolden, MN, LaVonne (Roger) Schmitz of Newfolden, MN; aunt, Arlene Ness of Middle River, MN; uncle, Lester Bakke of Moorhead, MN; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Johnson's and Bakke's; father, Harold; mother, Avis on Feb. 27, 2008; brothers-in-law, Richard Flodstrom and Randy Johnson; and uncles, Arvin, Larry and Robert Bakke; and several aunts and uncles in the Mattson and Johnson families. May his memory be blessed. He will be greatly missed.