Rev. Wendell E. Johnson

On Friday, November 7, 2025, Wendell Eugene Johnson went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 92 years. Wendell was born on May 12, 1933, to Carl and Alma
(Swanson) Johnson at their family home in Springvale Township. After graduating from Cambridge High School in 1951, he farmed and served in the U.S. Army.

On July 19th, 1959, he was united in marriage to Laurel Erickson at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Before his call into the ministry, he was a block layer and cement finisher in the Twin Cities. While living in Minneapolis and serving as a youth director at Hope Lutheran Church, he sensed a call into fulltime ministry. In preparation for the ministry, Wendell took Bible classes at the Lutheran Bible Institute and began seminary at the Free Lutheran Seminary in 1966. He then served congregations in Dalton, Stacy, and Spicer, Minnesota. For a time, Wendell and Laurel traveled and did music ministry and evangelistic meetings. Wendell also served the Lord on the AFLC Coordinating Committee for 14 years and was involved with local organizations during retirement, including the Isanti County Planning Commission and the Isanti County Historical Society.

Wendell enjoyed “fixing things,” especially tractors, going on group tractor rides, and building a small homemade tractor named “Big Blue,” a treasure the grandchildren enjoy to this day. Growing up on a farm and being a farmer at heart, Wendell loved helping his son Joel farm for many years, especially spring planting and harvest in the fall. He also really enjoyed hosting a threshing gathering at Joel and Lisa’s farm, watching his children and grandchildren’s many activities over the years, and going to town for coffee.

Preceding him in death are his parents, son Joel, daughter Mary, brothers Wallace and Ellsworth Johnson, sisters Jeanette Johnson and Eunice Borgstrom, sisters-in-law Lillian Johnson and Julie Johnson, brothers-in-law George Borgstrom, and Steve Erickson.

Wendell is survived by his wife Laurel, sons Paul, Karl (Heather), Mark (Sara), daughter-in-law Lisa, grandchildren Danny (Jenny) Johnson, Cara (Jared) Cavanaugh, Kyle (Anna) Johnson, Rachel (Tor), Brett and Greg Johnson, Alex Pfeffer, Anthony Kulp, Taylor (Jack) Mundis, Emily (Carl) Juhl, Peter (Chandler) Johnson, Amy (Titus) Seland, Andrew, Isaac, Hannah, and Luke Johnson, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Brothers-in-law Ken (Sharon) Erickson, Don (Gayle) Erickson, sister-in-law Debbie (Larry) Lawman, and many nephews and nieces.

As his family, we are grateful for the many who blessed his life through the years.

Funeral Services 11AM, Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Salem Lutheran Church of Dalbo.  Visitation 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment in the church cemetery.

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