Services for Duane T. Johnson,
Sat, 12/11/2021 - 2:21pm
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Duane T. Johnson, 91, of Clearbrook, Minnesota died on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Sanford Bagley Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbrook, Minnesota with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will be held at Silver Creek Cemetery in Clearbrook, Minnesota. Because of the current situation with COVID, masks are strongly recommended at this event. A livestreaming option will be recorded and available on the Cease Funeral Home Facebook page to view during the time of the service as well as anytime afterwards. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.
Duane was born on September 5, 1930 in Sinclair Township rural Leonard, MN to Odin and Emma (Moen) Johnson. He was baptized on November 13, 1930 by Rev. E. W. Sihler at Seljord Lutheran Church in rural Clearbrook, MN, and confirmed by Pastor K. A. Knutson at East Zion Lutheran Church rural Leonard, MN in 1944.
Duane started his schooling in first grade at Birchmound School and continued his education at Pine Grove School through 8th grade. After 8th grade, Duane worked for several area farmers and fall harvests in Lawton, North Dakota. Starting in 1949, he worked for three years on an ore boat sailing the Great Lakes saving enough money to buy a 160 acre farm that joined his parents’ farm. On February 21, 1952, Duane was inducted into in the United States Army and was stationed in We jom ba, Korea and Yokohama, Japan during the Korean War. He was discharged on November 20, 1953. He was married to the love of his life, Betty Lou Benesh on December 26, 1954 in Erskine, MN. Throughout their lives together, the two were a team. In the spring of 1955, he and Betty moved to Arvilla, ND and Duane drove truck for Bradshaw Gravel Supply. They returned to Leonard in 1956, where Duane worked at the Leonard Creamery and farmed for 10 years. In 1966, they moved to Clearbrook and Duane worked as a custodian at the Clearbrook Public School for the next 27 years until he retired on his 63rd birthday in 1993. He enjoyed the relationships he built with the staff and students at school.
Duane loved his community and was always helping out family, friends, and neighbors. He served on the Sinclair Township Board, the Clearbrook Fire Department, the Clearbrook Leonard Senior Citizens Board, delivered Meals on Wheels, and the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church council and committees. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. Duane was an active member and part of the honor guard of the Melvin Johnson Post No. 256 of the American Legion of Clearbrook. In 2004, Duane was honored as the Clearwater County Outstanding Senior Citizen of the year.
Duane loved fishing with his grandsons and attending their sports, music and 4-H events. Opening fishing was always a special time with family and friends at Red Lake. He always looked forward to cooking lutefisk, meatballs and frying steaks with the guys at the Legion. Some additional things that brought Duane joy were winter spearing with Dwight and the grandsons, gardening, farming and helping at the Erickson Farm after retirement from the school. A cup of coffee was always enjoyed with the good company of family and friends. Other highlights were the many road trips with Betty to visit and help out the grandchildren in South Dakota, two trips to Norway, and numerous bus trips throughout the country. Duane will be remembered for his smile, his good nature, and his acts of kindness. Blessed be his memory.
Duane is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Johnson of Clearbrook, MN; his daughter, Susan (John) Sandland of Gonvick, MN; his son, Dwight (Becky) Johnson of Shevlin, MN; 5 grandsons, Nathan (Allison) Sandland of Letcher, SD, Travis (Jay) Sandland of Saint Paul, MN, Brian Johnson of Richmond, CA, Brady (Abby) Johnson of Huron, SD, and Brent (Mandy) Johnson, of Lincoln, ND; 6 great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kyle, and Cole Sandland of Letcher, SD, Emma and Shawn Johnson of Huron, SD, and Emery Johnson of Lincoln, ND; his sister-in-law, Wanda (Dwayne) Maatz of Leonard, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ole and Malla Johnson and Halvor and Thilda Moen; his parents, Odin and Emma Johnson; his siblings, Arlie (Frances) Johnson, Kermit Johnson, and Ardys (Orval) Bjerke; and his niece, Debra Navratil.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com