Richard Rick Johnson, 66, died on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at his home in Thief River Falls, MN, following a battle with lung cancer.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Greg Schram officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, July 15, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Friday evening. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Richard Earl Johnson was born on December 6, 1944 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Earl and Dorothy (Jansen) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended St. Bernards Catholic School for eight years. Rick graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962.

In 1963 Rick graduated from the welding program at the Thief River Falls AVTI. He then moved to Milwaukee, WI, where he worked until being drafted into the U.S. Army in August of 1965. Rick proudly served his country in Okinawa, Japan as a radar specialist for 18 months, and was honorably discharged in July of 1967.

On May 18, 1968, Rick was united in marriage to Marlene Peterson. Into this union 5 children were born: Michael, Mitchell, Michaun, Maureen, and Teresa. Rick and Marlene made their home in Shoreview, MN, and in 1974 moved back to Thief River Falls where he worked as a welder at Hydra-Mac, Arctic Cat, and Wennbergs Welding Shop.

Rick loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, friends, and family at the cabin on Union Lake near Erskine, MN. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and spending time at the hunting cabin by Grygla. Rick had a unique sense of humor and will be remembered as a fun-loving man with a creative spirit who was always scheming up his next adventure. He possessed the ability to fix almost anything and enjoyed dreaming up his own inventions, such as a cannon which was used to celebrate the Fourth of July at Union Lake.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Marlene of Thief River Falls, MN; children, Michael of Wichita, KS, Mitchell (Colleen) of North Brunswick, NJ, Michaun (Gordon) Shetler of Grand Forks, ND, Maureen (Greg) Monson of Grygla, MN, and Teresa Johnson of Wahpeton, ND; grandchildren, Tyler and Ethan Shetler, Alaina and Elise Monson, and Cadence Johnson; brother, Wayne Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN; his family from the cities, affectionately called The Gang from The Cities, who include nieces and nephew, Sherill (Jake) Stanton, Michele Smolley, Scott (Kate) Kruger, Shannon and Ben Kruger, Jim (Sandi) Jensen, Joe Jensen, and aunt, Ardith Jensen; mother-in-law, Lois Peterson of Thief River Falls, MN; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Preceding Rick in death are his parents and grandparents; his beloved sister Joan Kruger; uncle, Leonard Jensen; father-in-law, Cyrus Peterson; brothers-in-law, Mark Swanson, and Curtis Pals; nephew, Lowell Halfaday.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Wanda Vigness
SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS: In The Garden & Here I Am Lord
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace & Battle Hymn of the Republic
PALLBEARERS: Dave Kloety, Jordan Kloety, Jake Stanton, Scott Kruger, Ben Kruger, and Jim Jensen
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of Ricks friends from Union Lake
MILITARY HONORS: MILITARY HONORS: Thief River Falls American Legion & VFW Posts