Carlton
Johnson, age 82, of
Evansville
, died Saturday, December 11, 2010 at his home.
On November 22, 1928 Levi and Mathilda Johnson celebrated the birth of their first-born son, Carlton LeRoy.
Carlton
was baptized and confirmed at
Immanuel
Lutheran
Church
in
Evansville
,
Minnesota
, growing up on the family farm and graduating from
Evansville
High School
in 1946. He pursued his passion for dairy farming, working the family homestead throughout his adult life, first with his parents, then later with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Carlton
married his sweetheart, Twyla Torgrimson, on May 27, 1950. Together they continued to live on the family farm, expanding the dairy operation and raising four children.
Carlton
was passionate about family and tradition, and always made sure his family enjoyed fun times alongside the hard work of farming. They enjoyed family vacations, frequent trips to their favorite swimming spot (after a long, hot day in the field) and both winter and summer fishing on area lakes. Carlton especially enjoyed snowmobile trips with friends, deer and waterfowl hunting with his children and grandchildren, ice fishing, building bluebird and duck houses (with the Sportsmen's Club) and a very special anniversary trip to Alaska with Twyla in 2001. He also enjoyed the honor of having his family's farm recognized as a Century Farm and being recognized as Douglas County Soil and Water Conservationist.
Carlton
valued giving back to the community and served in many organizations in his lifetime, most notably the Church Board, School Board, Township Board (clerk), Sportsmen's Club (treasurer), and Antique Tractor Club.
Carlton
will be remembered most for his quiet, deep devotion to God, church and family. His personal relationship with his Savior carried him through both the trials and the triumphs of his life, sustaining him and renewing him for each new day.
Carlton
departed from this world to be with his Lord on December 11, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife, Twyla; son, Dean (Jerolyn) of Roseau, MN; daughter, Becky Gilbert of Leicester, NC; daughter, Marcia (Dale) Beneke of Evansville, MN; daughter, Bev (Mark) Decker of Arvada, CO; 12 grandchildren: Liza Foster, Darrin (Renae) Quinn, Kyle (Molly) Holmgren, Taylor Quinn, Jay Holmgren, Levi Johnson, Amber (Levi) Dargis, Lydia Johnson, Blake (Jennie) Quinn, Markelle Decker, Alli Decker and Carlin Johnson; 12 great-grandchildren: Courtney, Skyler and Madison Quinn; Katelyn and Austin Harris; Alexandrea Johnson; Kade, Pierce and Maya Holmgren; Frankie Holmgren; and Ruby and Simon Quinn; one brother, Maurice (Lorraine) Johnson; special niece, Gwen; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Carlton
was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Mathilda; sister, Janice Gradin and brother-in-law, Joe Gradin.