Ronald A. Johnson, 92

Little Falls – Ronald A. Johnson, 92, of Little Falls, formerly of Thief River Falls, died on Friday, July 24 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital after a very abrupt illness.
Ronald Allen Johnson was born on October 8, 1933, on the family farm in Becker County, the son of Edwin and Alice (Jensen) Johnson. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith in Lake Park and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Audubon. Ron attended the country school near Audubon until the eighth grade, in the schoolhouse that would later become his parents’ retirement home. He graduated from Lake Park High School in 1951.
In January of 1951, Ronald was called into service with the Minnesota National Guard and served in Fort Rucker, AL until his Honorable Discharge in 1953. He was given a train ride from Alabama to Detroit Lakes; and from there hitchhiked to the family farm in Audubon; but had to wait to get up the driveway until his dog recognized him and let him proceed. He stayed on the farm to help for a year; and then left for Fargo, ND where he worked for Christianson Landscaping Service.
It was during this time and through mutual friends, that he met his future wife, Carol Wren. They were married January 21, 1955, in Moorhead. While living in Fargo for a year; Jenelle was born; and then they moved to Lake Park, where their son Jeffrey was born. Ronald worked for a short time for an oil company driving a fuel truck and in 1958, began his 30-year career with Cenex as a petroleum representative, driving to many towns in the northern Minnesota area. The family moved to Thief River Falls in 1965, as a result of a transfer in the Cenex corporation, where his district became the northernmost area of Minnesota. Through the Cenex company’s reorganization, Ronald was forced to take an early retirement in 1986.
Ronald loved to work, and so in 1987, he began a different career with Cenex in Thief River Falls, this time working for their new tire distribution warehouse, driving tires to the northernmost Cenex stations. He was forced to retire in 2000 because of the debilitation of macular degeneration.
While Ron lived in Thief River Falls, he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was part of their Men’s Bible Study Group. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #117 as well as the Golden Pioneers.
In 2022, Ronald moved to Bridgeway Estates in Little Falls, where for four and a half years, he made many new friends. His helpful nature gave him something to do and made him a favorite of many of the residents.
Ronald is survived by his daughter, Jenelle Peters of Little Falls and son Jeffrey (Barb) Johnson of St. Anthony Village; his granddaughter Kaia Flom (Todd) and her children Boden and Louie; and grandson Derek Johnson (Erin) and his children Elsa, Margaret, and Natalie. He is also survived by his sister Judy; sisters-in-law Marlys Johnson, Dolcye Johnson and Janet Guler; as well as many nephews, nieces and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Carol in 2014; his parents; brothers Douglas, Rodney and Bill; Jenelle’s husband, Jim Peters; and Ron’s special friend, Marlys Engebretson.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 21 at 11 a.m. at The Emblom Brenny Funeral Home. Friends may gather at 10 a.m. until the hour of the service.
A graveside burial service will take place on Saturday, August 22 at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Audubon. Family and friends are welcome to attend either or both of these services.
Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Ron.