Ralph Johnson

Ralph Stanley Johnson, 91, of Breckenridge , MN , died December 9, 2009 at St. Francis Home in Breckenridge.

His funeral will be held on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, Breckenridge , MN . Rev. Kathryn Rothman will be officiating. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge.

Interment will be at Crystal Lake Cemetery , Minneapolis , MN on Tuesday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m.

Ralph was born July 12, 1918 in Havana , ND , the son of Ole and Freda (Thor) Johnson. He was raised on a farm near Havana with his seven siblings. Ralph farmed on his own for five years before moving to St. Paul , MN . There he owned and operated a garage with his brother, Floyd. They later sold the garage and Ralph became a truck driver.

Ralph was married to Bernice Haaland on August 3, 1941 in Veblen , SD. Together they had a son, Orville Floyd Johnson. Bernice passed away in October, 1967.

Ralph was later married to Verlee Gerken. They lived some years in Minneapolis , MN , and then spent summers at Lake Polaski near Buffalo , MN . Winters were spent in Alamo , TX . Ralph always enjoyed attending flea markets with their antiques and adding beautiful dolls to Verlee’s collection. She died in October, 1990.

Ralph became a resident of St. Francis Home in Breckenridge , MN in March, 2004.

He is survived by: His three grandchildren: Steven (Melissa) Johnson, Oak Grove, MN; Vicki (James) Mackey, Apple Valley, MN; Kristi (Doug) Bisbee, New Port Richey, FL; His four great-grandchildren: Jennifer Baker, Desiree Johnson, Charles Johnson, Nicole Bisbee; His sister: Stella Hanson, Rosholt, SD; and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by: His parents: Ole and Freda Johnson; His first wife: Bernice; His second wife: Verlee; His son: Orville Johnson in 1996 and his daughter-in-law: Susan (Erickson) Johnson in 2007; His brothers: Leonard, Kermit, Victor, Floyd, Alvin ; and his sister: Myrtle Erickson