Herbert Arlan Johnson

Herbert A. Johnson, age 88, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the Pelican Valley Health Center.    Herbert Arlan Johnson was born on November 4, 1928 to Henry M. and Aletta A. (Dahle) Johnson on the family farm in rural Pelican Rapids.  He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and was a lifetime member.  He attended country school and high school in Pelican Rapids graduating in 1946.    Herb farmed his entire life and also owned and operated Herb Johnson Resort and campground on Lake Lizzie.  In 1952, he met Shirley Madsen at a dance.  They were married a few months later, on October 25, 1953.  To this union four children were born, Dean, Lyndon, Julie, and Kimberly.    Herb served as the Dunn Township Clerk for 30 years.  In June of 1976, after a lifetime of dairy cattle, he sold them and began driving school bus for Christianson Bus Service in Pelican Rapids for 17 years.  He was an active member of the Pelican Pool Hall gang and enjoyed playing billiards.  Herb was a skilled horseshoe player and won many tournaments in the local area.  Herb and Shirley loved to dance and frequented many of the area old time dances.  They also spent many winters in Arizona and Texas.    He is survived by four children:  Dean (Jenyfer) Johnson, Sumter, SC, Lyndon (Kim) Johnson, Pelican Rapids, Julie (David) Demuth, Browerville, MN, Kimberly (Chris) Guck, Pelican Rapids, 12 grandchildren: Amber (Lono) Johnson, Miami, FL, Peter (Kelli) Johnson, Fargo, ND, Dan (Liz) Johnson, Fergus Falls, MN, Sarah (Seth) Kinrade, Fergus Falls, MN, Shannon Johnson, Minneapolis, MN, Eva Lyngby, Minnetonka, MN, Eric (Melonie) Demuth, Sartell, MN, Ashley (Lee) Popp, Rice, MN, Andrew (Katie) Demuth, Sartell, MN, Alex (Alexis Tebben) Demuth, Rice, MN, Codi (Amber) Guck, Omaha, NE, Alyssa Guck, Grand Forks, ND, Olivia Guck, Pelican Rapids, MN, 14 great grandchildren, two sisters Mildred Martinson, Edina, MN, Lillian (Jack) Rankin, Brainerd, MN, and several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.    Herb was preceded in death by his wife Shirley in 2004, one sister Norma Jacobson, grandson Ryan Johnson and great grandson Levi Popp.    In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Red River Valley or a memorial of your choice.    Visitation:  One hour prior to the service   Funeral Service:  11:00 AM, Saturday, September 30th, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, Rural Pelican Rapids, MN Clergy: Pastor Dale Pepelnjak and Pastor Lauryl Ivers Burial: Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Pelican Rapids, MN   Herbert's Memorial Folder