Harry Johnson

Harry James Johnson, 91, of Fargo ND, formerly Hendrum MN, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2020, in Lake Havasu, AZ. Harry was born on March 29, 1928 to Ernest W. and Minnie (Dyrendahl) Johnson in the “Dyrendahl Home” in Hendrum. He attended Elm River No. 1, a one room school house near Quincy, ND through 8th grade and graduated from Hendrum High School in 1946. Harry married Junice Riggers on October 9, 1949 at First English Lutheran Church in Lockhart, MN. They made their home in Hendrum, MN with a short time spent in Cedar Rapids, IA. They were blessed with 3 children Claudia, Roger and Cory. Harry farmed most of his life in Traill County ND. In 1968 he enrolled in the Control Data Institute in Minneapolis, MN for computer repair, graduating in 1970. He worked for Honeywell in Cedar Rapids as a field engineer until 1973 when his love of farming led him to return to Hendrum. Harry retired from farming in 1991 to become a dedicated care giver to Junice, until her passing in 1993 from ALS. He was very active in the Hendrum community: A lifelong member of Immanuel Luthern Church, serving on the church Council and as President. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge serving as Master and in numerous other positions as well as a member of The Order Of The Eastern Star. Harry served as a Civil Defense Director in Norman County, he was a proud member of the Hendrum Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years, served on the Hendrum City Council, Hendrum Community Club and as a 4H Leader. Harry was a “collector”, he loved going to garage sales and flee markets, it didn’t need to have monetary value for it to be valuable to Harry. He enjoyed his annual trips to Big Iron and the Rollag, MN Steam Threshers Reunion. Telling jokes, stories, and visiting with people was very important to him, he was quick to make friends wherever he went. He enjoyed visiting and having coffee at Ben’s Service/Bait in Browns Valley, MN, Nepstad Oil in Hendrum, seeing friends at the fireplace at Fieldstone Apartments in Fargo and Senior Citizens Centers in Fargo and Lake Havasu, AZ. Harry is survived by children, Claudia (Larry) Johnson, Roger (Karen) Johnson and Cory (Robin) Johnson. Grandchildren, Bryce (Jennifer Halligan) Danelke, Shayna (Chris) Emme, Heidi (Eric) O’Donnell, Nathan (Tracey) Johnson, Haley Johnson, Madison Johnson. Great Grandchildren, Mason, MaKayla and Beau Danelke, Riley and Aftin O’Donnell, Griffin Johnson, baby Johnson due in May, and Chance Halligan. Sister Shirley K Johnson, Special Companion Marlys Kluck. Marion’s children Jeff (Bonnie) Falkingham, Mike (Eleanor)Falkingham, Pat (Don) Fall and their families, Sister-in-law Dolly Merkens, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Minnie, his wife Junice, fiancé Marion Falkingham, brother Duane, sister Beverly Todd and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and preferred to the ALS Association.