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Douglas Neil Johnson was called home on July 13, 2023 at the age of 74, surrounded by loved ones. His life was sadly shortened after a long battle with cancer. Doug was born on October 22, 1948 in Rush City, MN to parents Lloyd and Carole Johnson. He grew up on the family dairy farm in Shafer, MN. He attended and graduated from Taylors Falls High School June 1966. That fall he attended Pine City Vocational Technical School. After graduating the next fall, he enlisted in the United States Navy for four years. He served during the Vietnam War but his ship was never sent there. He was honorably discharged from his ship in January 1972. After settling back in Minnesota, he attended Minneapolis Vocational Technical School for two years learning the sheet metal and heating trade. He worked for C.O. Carlson Heating and Air Conditioning for 35 years, retiring as shop foreman.

He raised three girls in the house he built on a portion of the family farm, until finally meeting the love of his life at the Almelund Threshing Show dance. He was a member of the Almelund Volunteer Fire Department, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Almelund Threshing Company. Not only was he a member of the Almelund Threshing Company, he and his dad along with six other men were co-founders. 

He enjoyed many hobbies such as fishing and deer hunting in Minnesota and Wisconsin, elk hunting in Colorado; fishing in Alaska with Kari and his dad, spending several weeks in Sanibel, Florida during the winters; a family vacation in Orlando, Florida; a week every summer in Bemidji fishing with all the family and traveling to Hawaii with Kari.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Carole Johnson and brother Gerald Johnson; brother-in-law Robert Swanson; father-in-law Alvin Meyer; mother-in-law Lorraine Meyer; brothers- and sisters-in-law Gail and Verna Meyer, Kenny Meyer and Donald Torgerson.

Doug is survived by his wife Kari Johnson; children; Christina (Jon) Vaughan, Jennifer (Don) Andersen, and Robin (Loren Wilkes) Johnson; Tom Strauch, Steve (Maria) Loyas and Jammie Beede; grandchildren Derrik (Brandy) Beede, Gabi Beede, Kailie Loyas, Kelsey (Ethan Aho) Andersen, Kyle Andersen and Benjamin Strauch; great grandchildren; Gannon Dockendorff and Ariella Staricha; sister Sharon Swanson; brothers Michael (Deb) Johnson, Bradley (Janet) Johnson; sister Julie (Lyle) Johnson; sister-in-laws Illa Torgerson, Monica (Jim) Miller and LuAnn (Arnie Blaskowski) Meyer; many nieces and nephews; and their dog Tucker.

Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday July 22, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Almelund. Visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Private burial at a later date. Please join the family for a luncheon after the Honor Guard. Arrangements by Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom, MN. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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