Roy Berent Johnson

Roy Berent Johnson, 88, of Fergus Falls, MN, formerly of Big Fork, MN, died on Thursday, August 29, 2024. 

Roy's Father, Alfred Johnson and Mother, Emily Johnson immigrated as teenagers from Norway to the US where they met and married. Roy was born in May of 1936 to the couple, at the Norwegian Hospital and was baptized at the 59th Street Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, New York.

The family moved to East Heartland, Connecticut in 1941, to help found the church, Bethany Lutheran. As a teen Roy left his East Heartland home to attend Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN, where he graduated in May 1954. He met his high school sweetheart, LaVonne Sjule, at Hillcrest and married her in 1956. 

Roy attended seminary at the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (LB) in Fergus Falls and became the first boy from his East Heartland church to become a minister. He proudly shared this story at Bethany’s 75th Anniversary celebration a few years ago.

Roy served various LB Churches including, Malta MT, Sidney MT, and Dickinson ND. He also served many Association of Free Lutheran Congregations including, Maple Bay MN, Ortonville MN, Ortley SD, Durant OK, Roseau MN, Northome MN, and Grand Rapids MN. Together Roy and LaVonne faithfully served these parishes while raising their family.

He is survived by his 5 children, Rhonda (David) Freeh, Robb (Karla) Johnson, Rick (Barb) Johnson, Ryan (Heather) Johnson and Robyn (Aeric) Larson. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Bearse, 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his believed wife LaVonne, brother John Johnson, and sisters, Ellie Johnson & Arlene Krull.

Roy’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, golfing, racquet ball, and general carpentry.

Roy’s passion was serving small home mission churches, holding Wednesday night Bible studies, and leading the youth and future generations. Roy was a very competitive person and very much enjoyed the banter that went along with it! He was a “good ol’ sport”!! He built many homes that his family lived in and even built their retirement home on White Swan Lake, in rural Big Fork, MN where they spent many happy golden years together. God Bless the Memory of Roy B. Johnson.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday September 6, 2024, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Pastors Ed Monson and David Foss

Interment: Audubon City Cemetery, Audubon, MN

Funeral arrangements entrusted with the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls, MN.