Mark Johnson
November 14, 1949 ~ August 1, 2011
Mark passed away Monday, August 1, 2011 in Fergus Falls in the presence of his family.
Mark O. Johnson, son of Marty and Violet (Winterquist) Johnson was born November 14, 1949 in Fargo, ND. Mark grew up in Grandin, ND and was baptized February 12, 1950 and was confirmed December 2, 1962 in Grandin Presbyterian Church. He went on to graduate from Grandin High School in 1967 and serve his country in the National Guard 119th Fighter Interceptor Group from 1967 to 1973.
Mark was united in marriage to Sandra Ydstie on June 15, 1968 in Our Saviors Lutheran Church at Hillsboro. They made their home in Hillsboro until Mark semi-retired in 2006 and they relocated to their summer home in Battle Lake, MN.
Mark purchased NAPA Auto Supply of Hillsboro, ND in 1968. He went on with the help of his wife and son Chris to own and operate the store for the next thirty eight years. During the thirty eight years he expanded and eventually sold off stores in Mayville, ND and Larimore, ND. While semi-retired Mark continued working in auto parts and was employed at NAPA Auto Parts of Fergus Falls, MN and Battle Lake, MN. He also owned and operated Eager Beaver Stump Grinding of Battle Lake, MN.
Mark deeply enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a special fondness for ice fishing. He also greatly enjoyed meeting and building relationships with many of the people that were his customers and vendors but, most of all he loved spending time with family and friends.
He was a long standing member of the Hillsboro Small Business Association and was active in Kiwanis. Mark was also a very active member of the Masonic Lodge in Battle Lake and Hillsboro where over several decades he served as Worshipful Master and earned his Scottish Rite.
Survivors include his wife Sandie, daughter Angie (Charles) Olson of Battle Lake, MN, son Chris (Jen) Johnson of Hillsboro, ND, and daughter Amy (Jim) Olson of West Fargo and grand children Ashley, Dustin, Karlee, Kaylie, Abbigail, Maddison, and Brooklyn, and mother-law Eunice Ydstie of Hillsboro, ND and brother Tim Johnson of Bismarck, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in law Harlum Ydstie and his twin brother Marty Johnson.
Mayville ND
I was so sorry to hear of Mark’s sudden passing, my thoughts and prayers are with the family. I enjoyed visiting with Mark everytime I needed parts for work at Traill County. Mark was so helpfull and his knowledge made getting the parts you needed a fast process, which left a few minutes to talk about just about anything and everything. Even though Mark was semi-retired it was still great to walk into the store and see him sitting in helping out Chris! He will be missed!
Battle Lake MN
We were so saddened to hear of Mark’s sudden passing. Although we have only known Mark a short time, since moving into our Silver Lake neighborhood, we will remember him for his warm smile and his friendly attitude. Our thoughts are with you, Sandy, and your family. May the love and prayers of those that surround you bring you comfort today and in the days ahead.
Houston MN
This is so sad and my heart goes out to the whole Johnson family. I got to know Mark very well and got very close to him when dating Angie. He will truly be missed.
Mark will carry on in the hearts and memories of those who knew him. Our sincere sympathy goes out to the entire Johnson family in your loss. God Bless.
Sorry to hear about Mark. He and I have been best freinds since we were kids and I will miss him!!!
We spent a lot of time together when we were young and I wish we would have spent more time together as we got older.
Fargo ND
Bob and I are so saddened to hear of Mark’s untimely passing. It is so difficult to say goodbye to someone we love and hold so dear but God has reasons of His own. Right now, your arms are empty, and your hearts are filled with tears and grief, for those who shared your days with Mark are now finding those days too brief. Trust Mark to God’s care and know that some day you will hold him to your hearts again when you reach Heaven’s shore.
You have our love, our prayers and our deepest sympathies. Mark will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends. May beautiful memories sustain you and may God be with you to help and guide all of you through this difficult time and in the days to come. God bless you all.
WHAT IS DEATH
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without affect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well.
~ Henry Scott Holland