Kenneth G. “Kenny” Johnson, 94, Fertile, MN, died Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Mahnomen Health Care Center, Mahnomen, MN, under the care of Hospice of The Red River Valley.
Kenneth George Johnson was born along with his twin brother, Leonard on February 22, 1924, on their home farm in Garden Township, rural Fertile. His parents, Carl Oscar and Nora (Rude) Johnson had 8 sons before Kenny and Leonard were born. He attended District #32 Country School near their home and later Fertile High School. He enlisted in the United States Army serving in the Pacific mainly stationed in Okinawa, Japan, before his honorable discharge.
Kenny was united in marriage to Verla Wastweet on September 5, 1948, at Sundal Lutheran Church, Sundal, MN. They bought a farm in Spring Creek Township, Norman County, where they lived and raised their family. In 2014, Kenny and Verla moved to Summerfield Apartments in Fertile.
Kenny enjoyed music and played many instruments. He enjoyed playing at the Minnesota State Fair with his brothers Olaf and Johnny and later with Dara, Jim, and Arlette. He entertained at area nursing homes and enjoyed music with his family. Kenny farmed and raised assorted farm animals. Starting when he was a young boy, he always had a passion for baseball and played on the “Johnson Boys” team, and was a pitcher for other area teams. He always found time to listen to the Minnesota Twins baseball team and occasionally the Minnesota Vikings. He and Verla were blessed to travel and see family around the country. He loved his family and enjoyed company and inviting them in for coffee or a meal.
Kenny and Verla were active in the Sundal Lutheran Church and also enjoyed socializing with many relatives and friends. After Verla passed away in 2016, Kenny continued to live in the apartment until his health began to fail and he recently moved to the Mahnomen Health Care Center.
Kenny is survived by his children: Dara (James) Narum, Gary, MN; Arlette (William) Peterson, West Boylston, MA; Kerry (Julie) Johnson, Pittsburg, MO; and Delane (Dean) Schaumburg, Bejou, MN; 12 grandchildren: Troy Narum, Darin Narum, Dustin (Vicki) Peterson, Brandon Peterson, Heidi (Hank) Leftwich, Christopher Johnson, Nathan (Teresa) Johnson, Miranda Johnson, Danielle Johnson, Devon Nichols (Amanda Stewart), Eric (Kasandra) Schaumburg, and Jana Schaumberg, (Chris Lee);10 great grandchildren:Brooke Narum, Emma Peterson, Madelyn Peterson, Harper Leftwich, Hailey Leftwich, Landon Johnson, Wyatt Schaumburg, Neva Schaumburg, Titus Schaumburg, and Lila Schuamburg, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Verla, a granddaughter, Wendy Johnson, and his 9 brothers, Rudolph, John, Hjalmer, Alfred, Olaf, Walter, Leonard, Albert, and Elmer. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. May God bless the memory of Kenny Johnson.
Memorial Service: 11AM Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Sundal Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, MN.
Visitation: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 5-7PM with a prayer service at 6:30PM, at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.
Burial: Sundal Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, MN.
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home Fertile, MN www.eriksonvikfh.com
