Dean Johnson

Dean F. Johnson, 81, of Evansville, Minnesota, passed peacefully, on August 4, 2024. He was born to Amelia (Walstrom) and John Johnson of Erdahl, Minnesota. Dean was the 10th child of 12 siblings. Dean attended Evansville Elementary School and graduated from Evansville High School. 

He married his wife, Elida (Nelson) Johnson in 1965 and to this marriage three children were born. MeLissa, Callie, and Jason Dean Johnson. 

Dean worked at 3M in Alexandra for 32 years and retired in 2001. He was known as a hard worker and excellent provider for his family. Although Dean was known for his hard work ethic and commitment to his job, he took the greatest pleasure in being a father, but especially a grandfather.

Grandpa Dean has four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. But he was known as Grandpa Dean to all their friends as well. 

Dean took being a grandpa to a whole new level. He accompanied many field trips, birthday parties, sports practices, and never missed a home game played by his grandchildren. He was a chauffeur, a forgotten jersey/homework deliverer, a listening ear, a great hugger, a storyteller, and most importantly a phenomenal grandfather.

In retirement, Dean never really retired. He was always busy doing something, whether it be gardening, working in his shed, chauffeuring grandchildren, and even driving others to their appointments that were no longer able to drive themselves. 

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Amelia and John Johnson, his infant son, Jason Dean Johnson, son-in-law, Trevor Moen, siblings, Arlene Johnson, Orville Johnson, Alton Johnson, Marlys Paulson, Dallas Johnson, Gale Johnson and Virgil Johnson, sister-in-law, Nadine Finkelson, brother-in-law, David Nelson, and niece, Robyn Finkelson.

Dean is survived by his wife, Elida, two children, Melissa Moen (Leo Ohren) and Callie (Jason) Funkhouser, four grandchildren, Steven Moen, Bailey (Danny) Yackley, Taylor Moen, Benjamin (Natalie) Funkhouser; three step-grandchildren, Lindsay Ohren, Casey Ohren, and Coel Ohren, 6 greatgrandchildren, Kinley Moen, Brighton Moen, Harper Moen, Avery McGary, Piper Yackley, Dawson Yackley and soon to arrive Daxton Funkhouser; four siblings, Joann Ostlund, Noel Johnson, Betty Stromberg, and Sharon Odegaard and many nieces and nephews.

A private burial will be held at Christina Lake Lutheran Church.