Benson Funeral HomeSt. Cloud, MNLove Lasts Forever
About UsStaffPlanningLocationResourcesGrief SupportObituariesMerchandiseLodgingContact Us
     
  Obituaries  
Donald S. Johnson,   Age 83
Visitation Location: Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Visitation Date/Time: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Funeral Time: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Funeral Location: Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud, MN
Burial Location: Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN
   
    DONALD S. JOHNSON, 83
    St. Cloud
    June 20, 1926 ~ August 30, 2009
    
     Donald Sheldon Johnson, age 83, formerly of Hibbing and Hoyt Lakes, MN died Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Talahi Care Center, St. Cloud, MN after a long illness.
     Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 11:30 AM at the Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud, MN. Deacon Steve Yanish will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN.
     Don was born June 20, 1926 in Duluth, MN to Sheldon and May Johnson. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1944 and from Dunwoody Institute in 1952. During his high school years, Don was a member of The Duluth Central High School Ski Team participating as a ski jumper and was considered a serious contender for the US Olympic Team. After high school graduation, Don enlisted with the U. S. Navy and served as a Seabee in the Philippine Islands during World War II and with the U. S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post #428 of Waite Park and VFW Post #8144 of Hoyt Lakes.
     On June 12, 1948, Don married Vernice Kemmer in Nashwauk, MN. They later divorced. Don married Mabel Pearson on January 7, 1986 in Las Vegas, NV.
     Don joined the Brotherhood of Freemasonry and was a past member of Biwabik Lodge 293, the Hibbing Lodge of Perfection of the Scottish Rite, Aad Shrine Temple of Duluth, the Range Shrine Club and the Range Motor Patrol. Don took special joy in driving the small cars of the Range Shrine Motor Patrol for many years.
     Throughout his life, Don loved hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, flying and enjoying the outdoors especially at the family cabin at Bray Lake. Donald and his friends owned their own plane in the 1950’s. After his retirement as an electrician from US Steel, he enjoyed golfing and traveling extensively with his family.
     Survivors include his wife, Mabel of Rockville, MN; daughter, Dr. Kathleen Johnson of Duluth, MN; stepdaughters, Barbara (Jerry) Griewahn of Ponder, TX; Sheryl (Carl) Wesenberg of Waite Park, MN; Sharon Koshiol of St. Cloud, MN; stepson, David Meyers of Chisholm, MN; nieces, Diane Kolquist, Patricia Marincel, Susan Anderson, Nancy Osberg and nephew, Greg Carlson, all of Duluth, MN; six step grandchildren; three step great grandchildren; and former wife, Vernice Johnson of Duluth, MN.
     He was preceded in death by his parents, May and Sheldon Johnson, sister, Millicent McLaughlin, and stepdaughter, Bonnie Filiatrault.
     Memorials are preferred to Shriners Hospital for Children, Minneapolis, MN.
 
Send your condolences
Benson Funeral Home invites you to use the form below to share your memories and offer your sympathy to the family of the deceased. We will be honored to pass them along.

Your Information
Name:
City:
State:
Email:
Please use the below space for your condolence:

Please enter the letters/numbers shown below (we have implemented this security measure to decrease the amount of spam received by the funeral home):

 
Family Login
 
Send flowers
Click Here for a list of local florists.

 

Benson Funeral Home • 1111 25th Avenue South • St. Cloud, MN 56301 • (320) 252-3132 • info@bensonfuneralhome.com

About Us | History | Tours, Education & Aftercare | Staff | Pre-Planning | Making Arrangements | Service Considerations | Facility | Directions | Resources | Grief Support | Obituaries | Merchandise | Lodging | Contact Us | Family Login

Click for Saint Cloud, Minnesota Forecast

Copyright © Benson Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.