Larry Bobby Johnson, 81, of Warren, MN, passed away late Wednesday evening, June 16, 2021, in the Benedictine Living Community Crookston with family at his side.
Larry was a Crookston native, born on February 1, 1940, to James “Bob” and Annetta (Klooz) Johnson. He was educated in Crookston schools until moving with his family to Northeast Minneapolis in 1959 where he worked until entering the US Army on March 17, 1964. Larry served with Special Forces Company C of the 864th Engineering Battalion and was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay during the Vietnam War. For his service to his country he was awarded the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge, the Sharpshooter M-14 Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Following his honorable discharge on March 16, 1966 Larry returned to the Twin Cities and worked for Old Dutch Foods for the next 15 years. In 1968 he was united in marriage to Linda Lee Berens at Lakeville, MN and to their union a daughter, Shelly, was born. In the early 1980’s Larry returned to Crookston and was employed at Jiffy Fry for several years. He later worked for the Occupational Development Center (ODC) in Crookston until retiring in 2007. In 2011 he moved to Red Wing, MN to live with his daughter and son-in-law, Shelly and Jeff Koehn. He spent many wonderful evenings sitting on their deck, enjoying bonfires, and barbecuing. Last November Larry moved to Warren, MN with his brother, Clayton. Larry was an avid fisherman and loved to play on-line poker. His greatest passion was for his family, especially playing with his great-grandkids, getting them all stirred up, and then chuckling as he turned them over to their parents. Larry will be very lovingly remembered and sadly missed.
Surviving Larry are his daughter and son-in-law, Shelly and Jeff Koehn of Red Wing, MN; 5 grandchildren: Jessica Hawkins of Minneapolis, Lisa Hawkins (Michael Duren) and Katelyn Hawkins of Red Wing, Melanie (Dustin) Whipple of Abilene, TX and Ashley Harris of Clyde, TX; 8 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Trevor, and Truett Wilkinson, Ali Whipple, Kyanna Permann, Lily Ames, Keegan Permann, and Riley Hawkins; brother, Clayton Johnson of Warren, MN; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James “Bob” and Annetta Johnson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Don Fontaine and Shirley and Beryl Radke; brother, Donnie Johnson; sister-in-law, Linda Johnson; and several nieces and nephews. Blessed be the memory of Larry Johnson.
The Celebration of Life for Larry will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston with Celebrant Trey Everett, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The service will be livestreamed by logging on to Larry’s obituary at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to watch. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council and the MN National Guard Honors Team-Moorhead.
Online registry and messages of condolence may be made at www.stenshoelhouske.com.
