Thief River Falls – Melvin Johnson Jr., of Thief River Falls, formerly of Brooks, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, at the age of 87.
Melvin Richard Johnson Jr., the son of Melvin and Clara (Gafkjen) Johnson was born on March 18, 1936, at Mercy Hospital in Williston, ND. He was baptized on April 26, 1936, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Zahl, ND. On July 8, 1951, Melvin was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee. Melvin attended grade school and high school in Oklee, graduating in 1954.
On June 16, 1956, Melvin was united in marriage to Beverley Doris Grimm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in McIntosh. To this union two children were born – Vickie and Jeffrey. Together they made their home in Oklee and in 1968 Melvin and Beverley moved to a farm west of Oklee, which was their home for over 50 years. Melvin enjoyed farming the land and taking care of the yard.
Melvin’s career was all about trucking. He purchased his first gravel truck while he was a senior in high school. His trucking days included concrete trucks for missile sites in North Dakota and Montana. He drove fuel truck and gas transport for Cenex for many years. He also enjoyed driving grain trucks for neighbors and the Oklee Elevator during the harvest season. He worked for several years for Thorson Inc. on many road construction projects.
Melvin enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with family.
Melvin served on the Lambert Township board for over 50 years. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 67 years.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Beverley Johnson of Thief River Falls; children, Vickie Lynn Humphrey (Dallas) of Venice, FL, and Jeffrey Lee Johnson (Kathy) of Inver Grove Heights; grandchildren, Rachael Olson (Rod) of Mentor, Leigh Mandt (Tisha) of North Branch, Arik Johnson and Andrew Johnson of Inver Grove Heights; great-grandchildren, Brianna Munson (Andy) of Crookston, Emily Olson of Mentor, Liam Mandt and Kennedy Mandt of North Branch; great- great-grandchildren, Ellie and Ben Munson of Crookston; sisters, Myonne Peters of New Rockford, ND, and June Anderson of Larimore, ND; brother-in-law, Larry Grimm (Marilyn) of Cannon Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Clara Johnson; grandson, Lucas Mandt; brothers-in-law, Harold Bye and Duane Anderson; sister-in-law, Erlyss Grimm; son-in-law, Lance Mandt; grandson-in-law, Greg Sandeen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, LaVern and Nora Grimm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church of McIntosh.
Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in McIntosh, with Rev. Bruce Blocker officiating. Burial followed at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in McIntosh.
Visitation took place one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday at the church.
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