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Sumner Johnson, age 95, of Chisago City, MN passed away peacefully on November 7, 2024.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, having just celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary. Together, Sumner and Joan had four children; Reid (Carol, passed 4/9/24), Rori, Rona (Joe) and Roxi. Sadly, Reid passed away the next day, on November 8, 2024 following his recent burden of a cancer diagnosis. 

Among Sumner’s children, he was blessed with five grandchildren, Ben (Justine) Johnson, Sara (Lancer) Lumby, and Krista (Nathan) Gossai; Mitchell (Katrina) Mandel and Michaela (Logan) Pankratz. He and Joan have been further blessed with 12 great grandchildren; Maxwell, Lillianna, and Piper Johnson; Cohen, Cavan, and Calla Lumby; Annika, Maren, Clara, and Brita Gossai; Joan Mandel; and Isaac Pankratz. Sumner and his three younger brothers Roland, Norman, and David were preceded in death by their parents, Arthur and Esther Johnson of Shafer, MN.

Sumner was known for his kindness, patience, and service to others. For many years, he served on the church council for Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, was a long time Board member of Hazelden and, along with Gordy Grimm of Center City, MN, established the Chisago County Council for Exceptional Individuals in 1972, founding what is now known as the Chisago Lakes Achievement Center in Chisago City, MN. Then and now, this agency serves individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. Sumner’s youngest daughter is an individual with a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in intellectual, communication, and physical disabilities which affect all aspects of her life. 

Sumner served in the Army during the Korean War. In his career, Sumner was the manager of the Federal Land Bank, later becoming Farm Credit Services, of Forest Lake, MN, serving area farmers from 1958 to his retirement in 1993. Following retirement, Sumner and two other individuals were asked to spend a month in Russia offering training and education to farmers in rural Novosibirsk.

Sumner, as a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, will be greatly missed. His life of faith, kindness, and dedication to others will live on in those who loved him.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City, MN, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m.. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of gifts to the family, please consider a memorial to either the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, the Chisago Lakes Achievement Center, the Linnea Residential Home in Chisago City, MN, or to Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City, MN. Thank You.

Arrangements with Grandstrand Funeral Home of Lindstrom, MN. Condolences can be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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