Merlyn Johnson

Merlyn Dale Johnson was born April 13, 1928 in Lake Mary Township, MN the son of Melvin and Lilly (Kvitek) Johnson. He was raised and schooled in Lake Mary Township. Following his schooling Merlyn began work at a dry milk plant and later went to work for Great Northern Railroad. On November 29, 1946 Merlyn was united in marriage to Delores Gerber. The couple made their home on the Johnson family farm while Merlyn built a new home just west of Lake Mary. The couple was blessed with four children, Debbie, Dana, Allen and DuWayne. Merlyn began working for Ahlberg Concrete, which later became Alexandria Concrete. After twenty-five years with the concrete company as a foreman Merlyn retired. He then began work for the street department for the city of Alexandria. In 1994 Merlyn retired to his farm. Throughout Merlyn?s working career he always farmed at his place in Lake Mary Township. After retiring he continued raising cattle and helping with the farm work. Merlyn loved the outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman spending time hunting, fishing (summer and winter) and trapping. Merlyn was a life member of the National Rifle Association and the North American Hunting Club. He was also a member of the Minnesota Trapper?s Association. He was self?made carpenter, he built his first home and barn himself. Merlyn and Delores were also members of the Parkinson?s Support Group. On Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Merlyn died at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, Delores and one sister, Berdine, preceded him in death. Merlyn is survived by one daughter, Debbie and husband, Bruce Jahnke, of Brooklyn Park, MN; three sons, Dana Johnson of Holmes City, Allen and wife, Sandy Johnson, of Holmes City and DuWayne and wife, Ann Johnson, of Crystal, MN; seven grandchildren, Kelly Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Rhonda Condon, Michael Johnson, Scott Addy, Dustin Jahnke and Joshua Jahnke; and seven great grandchildren, Tyler Johnson, Jared Johnson, Thomas Condon, Erik Condon, Kara Condon, Isaiah Haugen, Ava Brown, Cale Jahnke, Celia Johnson and Violet Johnson; and one sister, Lorraine Klug of Bloomington, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, May 16, 2009 at St. Mary?s Church in Alexandria. Reverend Father Fred Fink and Reverend Father Al Ludwig were the celebrants. Laurie Youngers and Tom Mulder provided music. Interment followed in the Evergreen Cemetery in Alexandria. Casket bearers included Dustin Jahnke, Joshua Jahnke, Bryan Johnson, Tyler Johnson Mike Johnson and Scott Addy. Honorary casket bearers included Rudy Vrana and Albert Norek. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.