David "Clayton" Johnson

David “Clayton” Johnson, age 94, of Fergus Falls, MN, formerly of Tintah, MN, passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018, at Park Gardens Assisted Living in Fergus Falls. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 25, 2018, at St. Gall’s Catholic Church in Tintah, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Gall’s Catholic Church in Tintah, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at St. Gall’s Catholic Cemetery in Tintah. Arrangements are entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge, MN.

Clayton was born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924, to Nels and Hazel (Lehman) Johnson in Tintah. He attended elementary through high school in Tintah and graduated in 1942. He then worked at a saw mill and helped his dad with farm work until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944, of which he served in the Philippines and Japan during WWII. Clayton was honorably discharged in 1946.

On May 7, 1951, Clayton was united in marriage to Audrey Keller in St. Gall’s Catholic Church. The couple resided in Tintah, where Clayton worked for his Uncle on the farm. In 1954 he began working for Bob and Earl Davison until 1958, when he bought a mink farm in Tintah, where the couple raised their 5 children. During the winter of 1970, the snow took his sheds down. Clayton sold his farm and went back to work for Bob Davison, until Bob passed away; then Clayton went to work for the Daniels brothers.

Clayton once served as a Fire Chief in Tintah. He was an usher at St. Gall’s, and also had served on the Church Council and Village Council. He enjoyed woodworking and helping to remodel houses. Most of all, he had a special place in his heart for all of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. He fondly called each of them “buddy”.

Clayton is survived by his wife, Audrey, of Tintah; his children: David (Susan) Johnson, of Hastings, MN, Kevin (Mary) Johnson, of Erhard, MN, Tim (Lorna) Johnson, of Elbow Lake, MN, Shiela (Randy) Berg, of Grand Forks, ND; daughter-in-law, Deborah (Les) Nokes, of New Mexico; 11 Grandkids; 22 Great-grandkids; 1 great-great-grandson; and Brother, Marvin (Peggy) Johnson, of Candenton, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Hazel Johnson; his son, Richard Johnson; and his sister, Lorraine Ponath.