Keith Johnson, 50, died Monday, August 9, 2010 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND

Funeral service will be 2 PM, Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at St. John Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Aaron Zuch officiating. Burial

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and also for one hour prior to the service at the church, Wednesday.


Keith Edward Johnson was born January 8, 1960 in Fosston, MN, the son of Gordon and Helen (Westby) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith. Keith grew up in rural Bagley and also attended high school there, graduating in 1978. When Keith was 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego, CA.

On October 12, 1985, Keith was united in marriage to Brenda Briggs at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN. The couple made their home in Crookston and in 1990 moved to Thief River Falls. To this union four daughters were born, Melissa, Laura, Nicole and Brianna. Keith has worked as a forklift operator for the past 8 years at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls, MN.

Keith loved to ride his motorcycle, hunt deer, snowmobile, being outdoors and camping with his family. He had a wonderful sense of humor, great personality and quick wit. It has been said that if he didnt pick on you, he didnt like you. Dealing with the hardships in life were made easier with his ability to laugh. Keiths love of cooking and baking often found him in the kitchen trying a new recipe. One of his dreams was to attend culinary school. The Minnesota Vikings were his favorite team and he watched them faithfully.

Keith was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church and of the Sportsmans Club, both in Thief River Falls, MN.

Survivors include his loving wife, Brenda; children, Melissa Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN, Laura Johnson of Crookston, MN, Nicole Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN and Briana Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN; parents, Gordon and Helen Johnson of Bagley, MN; sisters, Twila (David) Friborg of Superior, WI, Kim (Thomas) Feiro of Crookston, MN, Peggy (Mark) Genereux of Warroad, MN and Kristie (Allan) Genereux of Bemidji, MN; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bennie and Ann Johnson and Charlie and Christine Westby; niece, Leah and father-in-law, Kenneth Briggs.