Valan Johnson

Valan Nelard Johnson (Val), age 76, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, July 12, at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Chaplain Don Malinsky will be officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Glenville. After burial, a celebration of Valan’s life will be held at the Albert Lea Moose Lodge #1703 from 4 to 7 PM.

Val was born on July 14, 1947, to Vernon and Vilma (Westrum) Johnson in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He grew up in Albert Lea and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1965. After graduating, Val enlisted in the United States Airforce and served for four years before being honorably discharged. After his service, Val returned to Albert Lea and worked for many years and retired from Wilsons. After relocating to Texas, he became a driving instructor for Sears Driving School before beginning a successful real estate business where he worked for several years.

Val was a member of the Albert Lea Theater Club. He loved theater and performed in many plays in the area with the Theater as well as many church productions. He was an active member of the Albert Lea Moose Lodge #1703, where is served as governor of the Moose in 1978 to 1979 and was also active in the Elks Clubs. Val was an avid fisherman. He often made his own rods, reels and lures. He also enjoyed cooking and ice cream. He loved to be around people and had a quick wit. He always had a joke or a one liner to make you laugh. Val’s greatest love was spending time with his family. He especially cherished times spent with his grandkids.

Val is survived by his children, Matthew (Heather) Johnson, Mollie Monson and Elizabeth (Jordan) Barry; grandchildren, Jaime (Tyler) Doan, Katelynn Wallin, Rachael (Zach) Zabrocki, Mackenzie Monson, Madison Johnson, Paige Monson, Magdalen Johnson, Levi Monson, Arya Barry and Ava Barry; great-grandchildren, Tavyn Doan and Tylie Doan; siblings, Darcy (Pam) Johnson and Robin (Bill) Otterbine.

He is preceded in death by his parents Vern and Vilma Johnson and by his loving daughter Melissa. Val and Melissa are together again laughing, dancing and playing dominoes. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Albert Lea Anglers or the ACT Theater.