Ray Johnson, 94, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, February 14, 2011 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday.

Raymond Ray Julian Johnson was born January 13, 1917, in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Renold and Hilda (Storing) Johnson. He was baptized at Augustana Lutheran Church, now Redeemer, and confirmed in 1930 at Augustana. He attended Northfield Country School and graduated Lincoln High School in 1934.

On March 15, 1942, Ray was united in marriage to Myrtle Stromberg at East Grand Forks, MN. The couple farmed the home farm until 1956. Ray went to work for his brother in a cabinet shop and later worked in a glass business. His brother died in 1961. Ray took over the glass business and named it Johnson Glass Company. In 1970, Ray sold the business and became the Pennington and Red Lake County Agriculture Inspector until 1982, when he retired at 65 years of age.

Ray enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a member of Greenwood Cemetery Commission for 25 years.

He is survived by niece, Barbara Olsson and her daughter, Deb Wharton of Minneapolis, MN; and nephews, John Stromberg of Thief River Falls, MN and Dana Stromberg of Minneapolis, MN; special friend, Patsy Heyn; and adopted granddaughter, Kathryn (Brian) Jacobson; and many friends.

Ray is preceded in death by wife, Myrtle; infant daughter, Myrna Rae; parents; brothers, Elmer and Ted Johnson; sisters, Gladys Selden, Bernice Johnson and Verna Wold.


SPECIAL MUSIC: Greg Dally and Paula Adamson In The Garden & Softly & Tenderly
SPECIAL MUSIC: Kyrie Jacobson The Old Rugged Cross
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace and Beautiful Savior
CASKETBEARERS: John Stromberg, Dana Stromberg, Brian Jacobson, Duane Rafteseth, Merle Rafteseth and Kenneth Rafteseth.
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of Rays Family and friends