Richard J. Johnson

Richard Jerome Johnson, 91, of Red Wing, died Thursday, June 13, 2024 at his home at Deer Crest Senior Living.  He was born on October 30, 1932 on the family farm to Joseph and Marie Dale Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at Hegre Lutheran Church. Richard attended country schools and graduated from Kenyon High School in 1950 and began studies at Augsburg College. In 1949 he attended the American Legion Boys State. He was active in 4H and made several trips to the State Fair. Richard married his high school sweetheart, Laura Ann Sparstad on June 27, 1953 at Vang Lutheran Church. He graduated from Augsburg College in 1954. Following graduation, he entered the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned a Marine 2nd LT. After commissioning, Richard attended Officers Basic School in Quantico, Virginia and Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He later received orders to Vietnam, arriving June 1965 where he served as a Division Plans Officer and Commanding an artillery battery. He received a 2nd Vietnam assignment in 1969 serving as a 3rd Marine Amphibious Force Plans Officer, near Danang Vietnam. He was combat wounded in Sept in 1969. After Vietnam, he was assigned in 1970 to Headquarters Marine Corps to attend The American University and in 1972 received an MS degree in Technology Management, Computer Systems. He was assigned in 1973 to the Information Systems Management Section (ISMS) at Headquarters Marine Corp (HQMC), Washington, DC.

 In 1975, Richard was selected to the Naval War College in Newport, RI graduating with distinction. In 1979, he was assigned as Director at the HQMC Computer Center in Quantico, Virginia. Richard retired from the Marine Corp in 1980. His Marine Corp decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (V), Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Metal (V), Navy Marine Corp Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. After retirement, he was invited to give many Memorial Day talks on his Vietnam experiences.

 Richard and family returned to Cannon Falls, MN in 1980 where he was employed by The Sperry-Univac Computer Systems Division, Eagan, MN until retiring in 1992. In 1985, Richard joined the Cannon Falls Lions Club and later moved to Red Wing, MN where he remained a Lion until his death. As a Lion, he was elected District Governor for 5M1-Southeast Minnesota and later elected MD5M Council Chairman. Serving as a Lion, he received seven International President Awards a Melvin Jones Fellow Award, Hellen Keller Sight Award, Hearing Research Fellow and elected to MD5M Lions Hall of Fame. He and Laura attended five international Lion Conventions.

 During his lifetime he was active in churches serving on church councils, teaching Sunday School, and remained active with United Lutheran Church’s Men’s Cooking Team and Men in Mission. He enjoyed working with Boy Scouts and Little League Baseball with his boys. Laura and Richard traveled to over 15 countries, including three trips to Norway. Richard served on several boards and committees. He was a member of the Lions Club, Sons of Norway, American Legion, VFW, DAV and was the Past Commander of both the Marine Corps League and Military Order of the Purple Heart. At 91 years old, Richard recently received the Marine of the Year Award for the State of Minnesota from the Marine Corps League.

 He is survived by his wife, Laura; daughter Dawn (Ray) Jones; son Jim (Marlene) Johnson; son Mark (Lisa) Johnson; and daughter Karen (Geno) Schell; 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; 2 grand dogs; two sisters, Mary Stephenson and JoAnn Porter and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, James and Charles.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Reverend Justin Boeding officiating. The service will ne live-streamed on the following link  Richard Johnson service.  Burial will be at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  with a Legion prayer service at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to United Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.