Ronald Keith JOHNSON

JOHNSON, TREES, QUINN, ASMUS, MCKINNEY, BOWMAN, VANLENNING, MOLITOR, CHEVILLE, ITES, HORST

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

August 18, 1937 ---- November 10, 2017

Ronald Johnson (80) of the Britt area, formerly of Bemidji, Minnesota, passed away Friday, November 10, 2017 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. Funeral services for Ronald Johnson will be held on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Evangelical Free Church, 810 2nd Avenue Northwest in Britt with Pastor Stan Johnson officiating. Burial will take place at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Ronald Keith Johnson was born August 18, 1937 near Twin Lakes, east of Kanawha, Iowa, to Ora and Opal (Trees) Johnson. He was raised and educated in Goodell and Belmond, graduating from Belmond High School.

Ronald was united in marriage to Sandra Lynn McKinney in 1958. The couple made their home in Belmond and rural Alexander before settling in Fertile for many years. Sandra passed away in 1976.

Ronald was united in marriage to Patricia (Bowman) VanLenning in 1977. In the spring of 1979, the couple moved to Bemidji, Minnesota, their home for the next 38 years. They recently relocated to the Britt area.

Ron and Pat’s marriage was the union of two families. Ron’s sons Ron Jr., Rod and Randy were adopted by Pat as her own, and Ron likewise adopted Pat’s son, Mike. The Johnson, McKinney, Bowman and VanLenning families continue to treat each other as extended members of the same family.

Ron worked at Winnebago Industries for several years, prior to the move to Bemidji, where he was employed at Castle Highlands Golf Course and later at Bemidji State University, retiring in 2007.

Ron was passionate about his family and the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was very mechanically inclined and loved to lend a helping hand to family and friends when he could.

Ron accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a teenager while attending Calvary Baptist Church in Belmond. He later attended Calvary Baptist Church in Forest City and then attended First Baptist Church in Bemidji for the past 38 years. He enjoyed singing the old hymns and would provide special music when called upon.

Ron is survived by Pat, his wife of 40 years; their sons Ron Jr. (Cherlyn) Johnson of Britt, Iowa, Rod Johnson of Trail, Minnesota, Randy (Richelle Molitor) Johnson of Bemidji, and Mike (Angela) Johnson of Forest City, Iowa; grandchildren Jennifer (Ethan) Cheville and children Addison and Wyatt, Joshua (MaryJo) Johnson and children Olivia and Naomi, Joylyn (Matt) Ites and their children Eum and Orin, Ryder Johnson, Jessica (Josh) Horst and their daughter Quinn, Haley Asmus and Kali Johnson; sisters Ioleata and Sheryl; brother Arlan; along with members of the Johnson, McKinney, Bowman and VanLenning families and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Sandy, sisters Darlene, Bonnie, Bernice, Effie and Juanita; brother Aaron along with members of the Johnson, McKinney, Bowman and VanLenning families and friends.