JOHNSON, Sanford J.

JOHNSON, NIX, HENDRICKSON

Posted By: L. Logue (email)
Date: 8/25/2015 at 18:10:18

Owatonna, Minnesota - February 2013

Sanford "Sandy" Johnson, 91, of Owatonna passed away on Monday, February 18, 2013 at his home. Sandy was born in Owatonna on August 16, 1921 to Alfred and Clara (Hendrickson) Johnson.

He was a member of the OHS class of 1940. In August of 1942, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific theater from May 1943 until October 1945. Sandy and Lorraine (Nix) were married on January 17, 1946 in Aitkin, MN. They had five children and were married 67 years.

They farmed in rural Owatonna for three years before moving to Aitkin where Sandy worked at Burns Manufacturing. In 1952, they returned to Owatonna where Sandy worked at the Owatonna State School farm for a year. In 1953, he joined Jostens and worked there until his retirement in 1986. He also sold DeKalb seed corn from 1963 to 1977.

In retirement, he worked for local funeral homes and drove cars for local used car dealers. He was an active lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, and the Steele Co. Historical Society. He enjoyed traveling with Lorraine, and in retirement visited all 48 lower states and most of the provinces of Canada. He also enjoyed fishing throughout his life.

Sandy was also a people person, always ready to greet people with his warm smile and strike up a conversation. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; daughter Barbara (Ron Bagley) Brindle of Nicollet; sons Craig of St. Paul; Steve (Debbie) of Apple Valley; Mike (Mary) of Lake Crystal; Brad (Karen) of Owatonna; daughter-in-law Jennie (Dave) Runte of Lindstrom; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild and one on the way; sister Arlene (William) McIntyre; nieces; nephews; and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Kenneth, Ralph, Raymond and Glen, and sister, Verna Kajer.