Daniel “Josh” Howard Johnshoy, 72, of Crookston, MN, passed away at his home early Friday evening, April 5, 2024, with his loving family at his side. Josh had a stroke 13 years ago but together with his wife, Lori, and their daughter, Jennifer, they had all bravely dealt with the triumphs, and sometimes the setbacks. 
Born on October 31, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN; Josh was the son of The Rev. Edward and Naomi (Larson) Johnshoy. He grew up in Climax, MN where he attended Climax Elementary and High School. The family later moved to Bloomington, MN where Pastor Johnshoy had accepted a call to a serve a Church. Josh finished out his Senior year of High School in Bloomington graduating with the Class of 1969. He returned to the Crookston area and worked as a private contractor at American Crystal Sugar insulating the Plant’s boilers. Josh later worked on a pipeline that was being installed between Crookston and the nearby campus of the University of Minnesota-Crookston. On August 16, 1980 he married the love of his life, Lori Jean Smith, in a ceremony held at Crookston’s Covenant Church. Josh and Lori made their first home in Crookston and 2 years later moved to Mentor, MN. Josh began commuting to work in North Dakota, returning to Lori every weekend. The couple was blessed with their daughter, Jennifer in 1985. In 1989 the family moved back to Crookston. Josh worked as a self-employed floor covering installer doing carpeting, linoleum, and tiling throughout the area. For over 18 years he truly enjoyed driving a beet truck for Mike and Ernie Reitmeier every fall during the harvest.
Josh was as avid a fisherman as God ever put on this earth. He dropped a line in every lake for a large radius around Crookston, and he, Lori, and Jennifer enjoyed extended fishing trips every year to beautiful Rushing River Provincial Park near Kenora, Ontario, Canada. His success in landing the “big ones” earned him several Master Angler Awards from the Province of Manitoba. He was also into buying and restoring old fishing boats, with a Crestliner he brought back to pristine condition being his pride and joy.
Josh is survived by Lori, his soul-mate for over 43 years; their daughter, Jennifer, and her partner, Jon Qualley, of Crookston, and their family, Jameson and Ella Jo Qualley; brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Linda Johnshoy of Moorhead, MN; sister, Mary Johnshoy of the Benedictine Living Community Crookston; and nephew, Matthew Johnshoy of Alexandria, VA. From Lori’s side of the family he leaves several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Janice and Ken Michalicek of Blackduck, MN, Nancy and Jerry Rude of Tacoma, WA, Vickie and Shane Campbell of Peoria, AZ, and Ron and Bev Smith of Tacoma, WA; together with many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. Josh is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Naomi Johnshoy; grandparents, Albin and Olga Larson; and parents-in-law, Dan and Bea Smith.
Treasured be the memory of Daniel “Josh” Howard Johnshoy to all who were a part of his life.
Josh’s life will be celebrated by his family with a private Memorial Service. Messages may be offered on his obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com.
