Millard E. Johnson

Millard Erling Johnson, 73, of Grand Rapids died Monday, December 29, 2014 at Glencoe Regional Health Services. He was born June 25, 1941 to Mons and Elma (Wallager) Johnson in Faribault, MN. He attended country schools graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1959. On October 7, 1961 he married Ruth Ann Froisland in Mineola, MN. Together they had five sons; the couple later divorced. On July 21, 1996, he married Nancy Brooking Booth in Grand Rapids. He spent most of his life farming and raising a number of different animals, including dairy cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits, poultry, horses, donkeys, and mules. He was also a hog consultant. In the late 90's he began his own company, Central Minnesota Pest Management. His work allowed him to travel to many different states. Millard was a member and past president of Dale Lutheran Church in Cherry Grove Township. He was also a member of the Sons of Norway, countless 4H committees, a delegate in high school for the 4H national convention, and on the Goodhue Pork Producer's Board. He enjoyed bird watching, fishing, and showing and breeding animals. He was an avid gardener who could grow anything, even though he didn't eat the vegetables. He traveled to Alaska, went on a mission trip to Haiti, and went white-water rafting at age 73. He was also an avid Vikings fan. Millard will be remembered most for his passion for animals and his love of his family.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; five sons, Todd (Betsy) of Rochester, Brian (Kari) of Wanamingo, Bruce (Lisa) of Wanamingo, Jason of Wanamingo, and Bradley (Shauna) of Bombay, MN.; seven step-children, Garry (Carol) Booth of Rochester, Megan (Gene Spreeman) Booth of Moorhead, Molly (Scott Brown) Booth of Washington State; Benjamin (Charley Reuter) Booth of Duluth, Marie Booth of Washington State, Wendell (Brittany Hall) Booth of Iowa, and Jack Booth of Grand Rapids; 20 grandchildren, Derek (Caroline), Madeline, Alex, Mary Grace, Kendall, Kelley, Andrew, Blake, Cole, Logan, Cooper, Gracie, Jacob, Damien, Ashton, Ezra, Benjamin Jr., William, Faith, Alexis, and one more on the way; two great grandchildren, Finnegan and Autumn; three sisters, Eunice Ott of Lakeville, Lois Bellows of South Dakota, and Shirley (Lyle) Johnson of Minneapolis; friend, Dennis Hester of Dodge Center; friend and cousin Jerry Quam of Wanamingo.; and a multitude of friends and relatives.
He is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, step-son, William Booth; brother-in-laws, Richard Bellows and John Ott; and an infant niece.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Dale Lutheran Church in Cherry Grove Township with Reverend Heather Culuris officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Saturday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and one hour prior to the service at church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com .

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Visitation

JAN 3. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CST)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel
1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992

Visitation

JAN 4. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (CST)

Dale Lutheran Church
rural Kenyon, MN

Service

JAN 4. 3:00 PM (CST)

Dale Lutheran Church
rural Kenyon, MN

Cemetery

JAN 4 (CST)

Dale Lutheran Church Cemetery
rural Kenyon, MN