Harry J Johnson

Funeral services for Harry J. Johnson, age 93, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, July 20, 2012 at Salem Lutheran Church.  The Rev. Mark Neithammer will officiate.  Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4-6:00 pm, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Harry died on Monday, July 16, 2012 at St. John’s Lutheran Home.
Harry J. Johnson was born on July 10, 1919 in rural Lake Mills, IA, the son of Alexander and Caroline (Drugsvold) Johnson.  He was baptized at the Vinge Lutheran Church in Vinge, IA; and was confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Mills in 1933.  Harry grew up in Lake Mills and went to country school and high school there.  On May 3, 1942 Harry was united in marriage to Donna May Helland at the Emmons Lutheran Church. He was retired from ALMCO where he had worked as a shearer and a machinist.  Harry was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church, having served as an usher, a member of the SOS Committee, and a member of the church council.  He enjoyed woodworking, doing crafts, walking, watching ball games, camping, and especially loved watching Wheel of Fortune.  Harry was a very kind, patient, and loving man. He loved his family and his church both very dearly. He will be remembered for his wit and soft heart.  Fond memories will be treasured forever by those who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife Donna May Johnson; children Mary (Wilferd) Thostenson, Howard (Sharon) Johnson, Carolyn (Dwayne Anderson) Schutz, Susan (Clair) Thostenson, and Patricia (Dennis) Gehring; he will be deeply missed by eighteen grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and his brother-in-law Omer Helland.
Harry was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents Alexander and Caroline Johnson, daughter Sara Kay Johnson, grandson Donald Gary Thostenson, son-in-law Eugene Schutz, and daughter-in-law Barb Johnson.