Stanley Johnson
July 16, 1934 ~ January 13, 2018
Stanley T. Johnson, 83, Moorhead, MN passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Eventide Nursing Home, Fargo.
Stan “The Man” was born July 16, 1934 in Oklee, Minnesota to Arvid and Anna (Gunstenson) Johnson. He attended school at the Moorhead Campus School, graduating in 1952. He worked various construction jobs before enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving in 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. He made 42 jumps in his military career, being honorably discharged in 1957.
He moved to Minneapolis, MN where he worked at NAPA Autoparts and met Ruthie Thompson. They were married on April 26, 1958 in Minneapolis, MN. They made their home in the Minneapolis/St. Louis Park area before moving to Moorhead, MN in 1972. He worked for Harts parts in Moorhead before working for the Fargo Park District and the Fargo Recreation department and was the coordinator for the softball umpires in Fargo for over 20 years.
He was involved with softball throughout his life, working as an umpire where he was estimated to have called over 1 million balls and strikes in his career. He was inducted into the North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame in 1999. He was extremely proud of the honor he received when inducted. He was always a happy person and was a great example not only for ballplayers but people in general and will be remembered as a “bright spot in the room.”
He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and was proud of all of their accomplishments. He was loved and respected and will be dearly missed.
Stan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruthie, Moorhead, MN; children, Kathy (Merle) Wold, Detroit Lakes, MN, Karen (Joel) Rusch, Fargo, ND, Susan (Drew) Holloway, Moorhead, MN; 7 grandchildren, Bailey (Craig) Keller, Emily (Alan) Boll, Max Rusch, Hillary (Kelly) Walters, Carsen Wold, Forrest Holloway, Brekken Holloway; 2 great-grandchildren, Easton and Christian and 1 soon to be great-granddaughter and sister, Bette Nyland, St. Paul, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bob.
Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo with visitation starting at 9:00 A.M.
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To the Johnson Family — You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of transition. I will always have fond memories of Stan umping our softball games; learning from him when I was a board member, I always appreciated Stan’s view; and I especially appreciated his umpiring tips as they helped immensely the few times I was called on to ump. He was a good, kind man with a gift to teach the rest of us. Heaven just got a good guy.
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Stan!!
Our deepest sympathy..The Bernard’s
Stan Johnson was one of the main reasons that I started umpiring back in 1980. He encouraged me to start and helped me along the way. We also served many years together on the softball board of which he was a valuable member. It is always so difficult to lose a good friend like Stan. I will miss him. We liked to talk about the old days of softball here in Fargo and how things were. We had a chance to do that when we went to visit him in late December at Eventide. My prayers go out to the entire Johnson family on your loss.
Sorry I can’t be there , but you are all in my prayers sorry for your loss..Stan was a great man, you have great memories, terasure them always.
my sympathy to you Kathy and Merle and family
My deepest sympathy on the loss of Stan! He was an amazing man and will be missed! GOD bless you at this most difficult time! Take care! Liz
Stan Johnson family; As a former umpire that worked with Stan during the years who was in charge of the umpires enjoyed working with him. He was a person that would help in many ways with the umpiring duties with answering questions and just plain talking with you. He will be greatly missed and my prayers are with you at this time. God bless Henry Pietrzak
So sorry for your loss Kathy, Merle and family! Mom and I send our heartfelt condolences to all of you. The memories will remain forever in your hearts. XOXO. Love Cheryl and Sheila
Condolences to the Johnson family. Stan was a great man. He recruited me into umpiring and was always supportive of his crew. Ever the advocate, he is a true legend of ND softball.
I was a young player, with an attitude, in the early years of the Fargo Softball Association and had Stan as an umpire many times. Although we had some heated discussions during those times, we were always able to sit down after the games and share an adult beverage and laugh together, something I always appreciated and remembered for many years long after I hung up my glove and spikes. I will always have fond memories of Stan, and look forward to playing some heavenly softball again some day. God Speed, Stan.
Your dad left you a lifetime of memories and those are treasures that you will never lose. We wish you all peace and healing.
Ruth, I want you know that my heart is grieving heavily today and if I could get out of work to be there, I would. Stan was a one of a kind man and this world has a little less light without him in it. I’m so sorry. Truly, I’ll being praying for you and your family. Professionalism be damned, helping Stan in his last days was more than just a job to me. I came to love him and you and your family, you’ll all be in my heart and in all my prayers. <3
-Martha (Eventide)
Karen and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Even though I only knew your dad from the St Louis Park years, seeing his picture, although older, and the wonderfully written obituary, brought back early memories from when you and I used to hang out at your house in grade school. BIG hugs to you and your family dear friend. I am so sorry for your loss.