LaDon Johnson

ladon johnson

LaDon Jerome Johnson, 76, Fargo, passed away Monday, January 3 in Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo.

LaDon was born September 11, 1934 to Victor and Johanna (Selness) Johnson in rural Grandin, ND, where he grew up on the family farm and graduated from Hendrum High School (MN) in 1951. He then earned his B.S. Degree in Animal Husbandry (1956) and M.S. Degree in Animal Science (1957), both from NDSU. LaDon served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1957 to 1959. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Science from Ohio State University in 1965.

During his college years, LaDon was a charter member and the first president of the NDSU Farm House Fraternity. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, "Who's Who" in American Colleges, and several other fraternities, including Alpha Zeta.  LaDon was a long time member of Toastmasters, which is also where he met his wife, Patricia.

LaDon worked as an assistant county extension agent in LaMoure County before landing his "dream job" at NDSU where he worked as an animal nutritionist with the Extension Service, retiring in 1995 as Professor Emeritus. LaDon participated on numerous livestock judging teams. He received many awards at NDSU, culminating in his North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame induction in 2002.

Throughout his active years, LaDon was involved in 4-H judging, the Pork Producers Council, Cattlemen's Association, Saddle & Sirloin, Little International, Harvest Bowl Committee, and North Dakota Agriculture Winter Show. LaDon also spent countless hours working with his Angus cattle on his hobby farm near Kindred.

LaDon married his wife Patricia of 21 years on June 3, 1989 in Fargo ND. He became "Pappa/Grandpa extraordinaire" to his newfound children and grandchildren. LaDon and Patricia travelled extensively across the U.S. but LaDon was most at home on the Dakota prairie. 

Preceded in death by his parents, LaDon is survived by his wife Patricia, step-children Wade, Janet, Mary (John), Cyndi, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, his brother Marlowe (Darlene), sister Cynthia, aunt Inez, and 3 nieces.

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  1. I worked for Bethany Homes and cared for Ladon for many years. He had a great smile and loved to talk about his years at ND
    SU. He also loved when the dogs would visit him.

  2. Bismarck ND
    Pat, I was so sorry to learn of LaDon’s passing. You were always a very special friend to me at Mental Health. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Dorothy Wavrin

  3. I will treasure the time I had with Ladon. I came to North Dakota
    with a “new” Ph.D. in nutrition. I got another Ph.D. in nutrition traveling and working with Ladon. He was a great nutritionist and a kind soul.

  4. Bismarck North Dakota
    Pat, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I remember him fondly as Uncle LaDon. He was at our house frequently when I was younger since he and my dad (Chris Hansen) were friends. My heart goes out to you and your family and you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you during this difficult time.

    Sincerely,
    Kirsten (Hansen) Schadler

  5. Fergus Falls MN
    Pat and Family~~~
    I just heard this morning about the passing of LaDon. You have my deepest sympathy in your loss. I will always remember LaDon for the smile he always carried, the twinkle in his eye and his wonderful sense of humor. You were a wonderful couple that brought out the best in each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
    God Bless you all~~~~
    Your niece,
    Lynette

  6. Bismarck ND
    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. LaDon was an increadible gentleman and scholar. My life is better for having known him. His big heart, warm and cheery smile. and constant positive, patient and accepting attitude were a bright light to those who knew him. Goodbye LaDaon.

  7. I am sorry for the loss of this fine man,LaDon.LaDon was energetic and compassionate about his work as a teacher.I was glad to be apart of his class as astudent.My thoughts and prayers are with you.God Bless You!Sincerely,Charles Leier

  8. Annapolis MarylandOur family ties go back a lot of years. As a result, we all have many fond memories of LaDon. Mom still talks about attending his ND
    SU retirement celebration with Sharon and the genuine support he provided when Dad was stricken with cancer. LaDon was a very kind as well as a very talented and accomplished man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends who are saddened by his passing but grateful for his presence in our lives. Sincerely, Betty Malen

  9. Bismarck North Dakota
    I was one of many of LaDon’s students at ND
    SU during the 70’s. I always enjoyed his classes…LaDon always had a smile and he was always postive. I am sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

  10. Pat, I am very sorry to hear of LaDon’s passing. If there is anything we can do for you please don’t hesitate to call. Our prayers are with you and your family.

  11. bismarck nd

    I was honored to know LaDon and have the opportunity to interview him many times. He was always helpful, upbeat, and a gentleman.

  12. Fargo North Dakota
    Pat, I am very sorry to hear LaDon his passed on.. He was quite a human being.. I knew him as a fellow member in Lincoln 370 Toastmasters to which we both attended and went to many in state conventions.. LaDon held all the offices from President to Sgt. of Arms more then once in his membership in Lincoln, which I am sure spanded at least twenty years…He was one of a few members who could speak at a moments notice and the speech made sense when completed.. I recall often a story Ladon told me about a question he got while giving a presentation in someones barn on a very warm day the question was ” what do we do about all those so an so flys” LaDon answered we need a frost in July! Evidently the humor took a few minutes to sink in but they got it and gave LaDon a hearty laugh to prove it.
    LaDon is missed. Goodbye friend…..Aaron Geller

  13. Minneapolis MN
    I am sending all my love & prayers to you & your family during this sad time!! He sounds like an amazing man & loved so much!

  14. Kindred ND
    I only knew LaDon for a few years but I learned a lot about cows when he used my cattle shed for yearlings.

    I always looked forward to my conversations with him.

  15. Fargo ND
    When I think of LaDon I think of a gentle man, a man who taught me many things about being a gentleman.

    I got to know LaDon in 1966 when I began working in Agricutural Communication and LaDon was a member of the Animal Science staff. At that time I was looking for temporary housing, so LaDon offered me a room at his north Fargo apartment. I will forever appreciate his hospitality that allowed me to stay in Fargo during the week, then travel to Maddock on weekends to be with my family.

    My contacts with LaDon continued over the years: a guest on our Extension Communication radio program, random campus contacts and too, when I was fortunate enough to accompany him on farm visits. He would help producers to solve their production problems and I would interview them for a future radio program. I learned then about the great respect ND
    producers had for LaDon’s wealth of knowledge and his generous nature.

    Our paths crossed again when Pat and Ladon purchased a house in our Woodcrest neighborhood. What fun we had and what delightful neighbors they were.

    Then later there were those occassional visits to Bethany to experience LaDon’s friendly personality and his warm warm smile.

    Our sincere sympathy to LaDon’s entire family.

  16. Fargo ND
    The fond memories of LaDon are too many to mention. I always appreciated how LaDon took on the role as grandpa LaDon with ease. They loved him dearly as did I. His quick wit and dry humor always gave every one around him a laugh! His response every time you offered him a beer “Well, Ive never been known to turn one down!”
    I really do feel blessed to have known him and been part of his life. I am so glad that the two of you found each other and gave each other so much joy!
    Love to you Patricia, and every one may you be comforted to know that LaDon is at peace with his Lord Jesus Christ!

    Patty Harles

  17. DANBURY WIWe are sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Howard has fond memories of his high school years with Don. We express our sincere sympathy.

  18. Larimore ND
    I am sorry to hear of LaDon’s death. Even in the last years of his life he would always give me a very warm and endearing smile that I shall long remember. My sympathies to you, Pat, and your family.

    Rose Mary


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