Leroy E. Johnson, 66, died on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, October 25, 2004 at Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will be at the Goodridge Cemetery, Goodridge, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 24, 2004 at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Sunday evening and at the church for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Leroy Elmer Johnson was born on December 26, 1937 in Esplie Township, Marshall County, MN, the son of Elmer and Alice (Tenold) Johnson. He was baptized on May 16, 1943 at the First Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN by Reverend E. L. Tungseth. He attended school in Finland, MN and Goodridge, MN until the eighth grade when he stayed home to help on the family farm. In Leroys younger years, he worked various jobs, including the potato fields, working in the woods with neighbors, and farming with Bernie Wells.

Leroy was united in marriage to Jeanne Sharon Wikstrom on March 25, 1960 at St. Petri Church in Grygla. Leroy farmed all of his life, including grain, raising sheep, pigs, and cows. Leroy also worked at the Pellet Plant one winter and the night shift at Arctic, in the Welding Department.

He enjoyed deer hunting with his brothers and buddies, fishing, working with his horses, enjoyed birds, working in his shop, driving around looking at crops and wildlife and visiting with his friends. His best bud Chopper , his dog was always with him. But, his most precious time was with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Leroy was on the Esplie Township Board, Goodridge Creamery Board and was a past church deacon. He was a member of Farmers Union, Goodridge Lions, Faith Lutheran Church and he was also a Foster Parent. Leroy and his wife Jeanne owned and operated the Goodridge Hartz Store and caf for several years.

Leroy is survived by his wife, Jeanne; five children: Sheila (Kevin) Tharaldson of Goodridge, MN, Susie (Scott) Currie of Hinkley, MN, Deborah (Mike) Ford of Thief River Falls, MN, Becky (Jeff) Maxwell of Minneapolis, MN and Sandy (Murray) Jorde of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren: Ashley, Bethany, Joshua and Kayla Tharaldson, Elijah Curray, Adam Johnson, Luke, Jacob and Allison Maxwell and Briana and Tessa Jorde; brothers: Walter (Bonnie) Johnson of Anoka, MN and Russel (Marsha) Johnson of ____, MN; sisters: Esther Fjield of Vancouver, WA; Doris and John of ______, Texas, Helen (Selmer) Holen of Goodridge, MN and Joann (Dave) Langseth of St. Francis, MN; and his special friend and neighbor, Bud Race.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Alice Johnson; father-in-law,Vernon Wikstrom; and brothers-in-law, Oscar Fjield and Dan Josephson.


ORGANIST: Marie Dahlen
SOLOIST: Peter Bauer
SELECTION: Children of the Heavenly Father
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace # and One Day At A Time #
CASKETBEARERS: Richard Holen, Mike Josephson, Mitch Josephson, Tom Race, Jason Langseth, Nathan Johnson, Ritchy Johnson and Scott Johnson
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of Leroys family and friends