Russell Johnson

Russell Clemens Arthur Johnson was born near Farwell, Minnesota, on October 18, 1922, the son of Arthur and Hazel Johnson. In high school he acted as the first president of the Future Farmers of America. He graduated in 1940 and worked at the Bailey Machine Shop where on one occasion he creatively altered a customer?s Farmall F-30 by raising the front end to match the height of the tractor?s extra tall rear tires. Decades later, he was able to purchase and restore that same tractor. He still owned that uniquely customized tractor at the time of his death. During the Second World War, Russell enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific. He invented a new timing device for use on aircraft engines, which earned him the opportunity to attend college in Evanston, Illinois, and St. Peter, Minnesota, under the ROTC officer-training program. When the program ended, he headed home to Alexandria to pursue his lifelong career in farming. Russell married Phyllis Rambow on December 9, 1950, at First Baptist Church in Alexandria. When Phyllis died in 2003, they had been married over 52 years. Throughout their marriage, they faithfully worshipped together and actively participated in the church, where Russell served several terms on the trustee board. Most recently, Russell attended Grace Baptist Church of Alexandria. Along with farming, Russell worked at 3M in Alexandria for a period of four years and served on the Bremer Bank Board of Directors for 14 years. Russell held positions on the Alexandria Township Board, the Douglas County Fair Board, and the county planning commission. His involvement in township government extended throughout 40 years. He also served with the Minnesota Association of Townships. Blessed with exceptional mechanical aptitude, Russell enjoyed restoring antique tractors and gas engines. He enthusiastically joined in the activities of Pioneer Power Club and drove his restored tractors in many local parades, even at age 86. Russell died on Thursday, September 23, 2010, at the age of 87 at the Diamond Willow assisted living facility. He is survived by his son Don and wife Lynn Johnson, son Darwin and wife Lynn Marie Johnson and children Camille, Bryant, Matthew and Alexa, son Darrell and wife Beth Johnson and children Heather and Kyle, and brother Orrin and wife Irene Johnson, all of Alexandria. A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Grace Baptist Church in Alexandria with the Reverend Craig Dahl officiating. Ruth Peterson played the piano and Jody Englund was the soloist. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net