Magnus Johnson (1922-2009)

JOHNSON, MOATS, OHEARN, JANEKSELA, PATTERSON

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 11/10/2017 at 13:53:06

Funeral services for Mr. Magnus Johnson, 87, of Spencer will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at First Congregational Church in Spencer. Rev. Wendy Van Tassell will officiate the service.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Friday, with the family present at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer.

Interment will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Oakland Cemetery in Peterson.

Mr. Johnson passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at Longhouse Residence in Spencer.

Magnus Johnson, the son of P.M. and Mina (Moats) Johnson, was born Sept. 6, 1922, in Peterson, Ia. The family moved to rural Spencer in March 1923. He attended grade school in Lincoln Township and graduated from Spencer High School in 1939. Following graduation, he worked for Linn Sioux Creamery and then for Frank Parcaut Seed Corn Co., Sutherland.

On May 8, 1943, in Sioux City, Ia., Magnus was united in marriage to Patricia O'Hearn, Spencer. They made their home in Spencer and have remained there for 66 years. Two daughters were born to this marriage: Judith and Linda. From 1946-1961, Magnus was produce manager for the local A&P grocery store. In 1961 Magnus and Pat purchased McPherson (Mickey's) Grocery, renaming it Johnson's Grocery. Open seven days a week, it was a very vital business in the community for 43 years and was the subject of many newspaper articles. When Johnson's Grocery closed on Sundays, Mag worked that day at Wedel's Market. In July 2004 Magnus retired and the store was given to the YMCA Y's Men's Club. It was moved to the Clay County Fairgrounds, restored, and is being used as a nutty bar stand.

Magnus was quoted, as saying running the store, "must be my hobby". It left little time for anything else, except a night of bowling. He loved the store and talking to all his customers, young and old. Magnus and Pat were avid followers of Spencer High School sports, plays, and music. In 1967, Magnus was named Honorary Referee at the Spencer Relays. Magnus and Pat were both honored in January 1983 on Fan Appreciation Night as Spencer Tigers No. 1 fans.

He liked to travel, when time allowed, and managed to take in 49 of the 50 states and all the provinces in Lower Canada, keeping a journal on each trip. In recent years, Mag and Pat enjoyed taking Farmers Bank-sponsored trips from Jackpot Junction to an Alaskan cruise. When not out and about Spencer, Magnus enjoyed sitting on the patio, watching the resident squirrels and chipmunks and listening to music. Magnus was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, and a friend to all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Milford and Roy; daughter, Judy (Melven) Janeksela; infant grandsons: Brent and Brant Janeksela; and special nephew, Bill O'Hearn.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Pat; his daughter, Linda (Kent) Patterson; his granddaughter, Maggie of Linn Grove, Ia.; son-in-law, Mel Janeksela; his granddaughter, Amy Janeksela; his great-grandson, Caleb of Ely Minn.; his grandson, Bret Janeksela and wife, Jennifer and great-grandchildren Connor, Joshua, and Chloe of Winton, Minn.

From Warner Funeral Home