Pennington County: Remembering Gary Johnson of Goodridge
PENNINGTON COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — Gary Bert Johnson, 85, passed away peacefully at his rural Goodridge home on Sunday, October 12, 2025. He was born on March 22, 1940, to Bert and Josie (Lendobeja) Johnson.
Gary grew up with his brothers, often turning their family farm into a playground for imagination. They would play war games using their mother’s kitchen utensils as helmets and sticks or icicles as weapons. During his youth, Gary also enjoyed basketball, playing in the hay mow of the barn or outside the family workshop during the winter months.
After graduating from Goodridge High School in 1958, Gary worked at a Twin Cities gas station for several years. On April 15, 1961, he married Alice (Sharron) Haugen. Together they raised three children — Bradley, Robyn, and Brian — on the Johnson family farm originally homesteaded by Gary’s grandparents, Rasmus and Betsy Johnson.
The family operated a Grade A dairy farm until the early 1970s before transitioning to grain and row crops. In 2002, their son Brian and his wife Tracy took over the farming operation. Gary’s passion for farming never faded — he loved planting and harvest seasons and took great pride in maintaining and improving his equipment. He was known as a skilled mechanic and a constant learner, reading farm magazines and finding ways to make operations more efficient.
Gary also enjoyed laughter and family moments, especially watching the Three Stooges with his grandchildren. In later years, he turned his talents toward restoring classic tractors, cars, and farm equipment, often achieving results that matched professional work.
His favorite holiday was the Fourth of July. Family members fondly remember him lighting firecrackers and waiting until the last second to toss them in the air — a moment that always brought laughter and excitement.
Gary is survived by his children, Bradley (Marlene) Johnson, Robyn Meyer, and Brian (Tracy) Johnson; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Rick (Mitzi) and Bob (Susan), and his former wife, Sharron Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Josie Johnson, and brother Daniel Johnson.
No formal funeral service will be held. His ashes will be spread on the beloved family farm he cherished all his life. Memorial donations may be made to HIA Hospice of the Red River Valley, whose care and compassion supported Gary and his family during his final months.
May he rest in peace.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Pennington County: Remembering Gary Johnson of Goodridge