Orville E. Johnson

Orville E. Johnson, 85, of 2009 Maryland Avenue, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005 at St. Mary's Medical Center Hospice. He was born July 8, 1920 in Superior, son of Elmer and Borghild (Berg) Johnson. He served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II, in both France and Germany, and was awarded the Bronze Star. Following the war, he graduated from Duluth Business University. Orville married Sonja Kersten on Aug. 4, 1951 in Tigerton, Wisc. He worked as an accountant for Koppers Industries Incorporated and Great Lakes Coal and Dock Company before his 28 year employment at Superior Water, Light and Power Company as a purchasing agent, retiring in 1983. Orville was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where he held many offices including President, Trustee, Deacon and auditor. He sang in the church choir and was a beautiful soloist. He taught Sunday School and Confirmation classes, advised Luther League, and was a member of the Easter Sunrise Breakfast Maker Crew for years. He was also a member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., Duluth/Superior Harbormasters, Badgers Barbershop Quartet as lead tenor, Nemadji Golf Course Bushwackers League, Superior Curling Club, and the 25 Year Club (SWL&P). Orv's greatest joy, in addition to his family, was spending time at the cabin, 'The Farm' at Brule. He loved taking care of his property, cutting, grooming the greens, and creating special gardens with Sonja. He loved the solitude of the early mornings on the deck and in the afternoons in his chair at the creek bridge. He loved the critters at Brule: his special friend Bucky, his birds, and all his grandchildren with whom he played competitive badminton, baseball and Frisbee. Orv especially loved that his family and friends shared his love of Brule. Orv's other joys and hobbies included cribbage, singing, water guns, Price is Right, his artesian water, the Sunday Brunch Bunch (AKA 'The Trouble-Shooters'), and making pancake breakfasts and malts for the family. He will be sorely missed and forever loved and remembered. Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, Grace, Betty and Dagny; and brothers, Lloyd, Julius and Bob. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Sonja Kersten Johnson; daughter, becki (Daniel, 'Willie') Wilson, Tomahawk, Wis.; sons, Tim (Kristi) Johnson, Esko, Minn., and Dennis (Patty) Johnson, Superior; grandchildren, Reid, Kersten, Taylor, Grant, Aaron, Emily, Michael, Joshua 'Bubba', and Alexis; brothers, Larry Johnson, Richfield, Minn., and Ray Johnson, Oakdale, Minn.; sister, Helen Engstrom, Superior; sister-in-law, Jean Johnson, Superior; and several nieces, nephews and close friends. VISITATION:5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005 in Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Avenue and N. 19th Street. The visitation will resume at 10 until the 11 a.m. service Friday, Nov. 18, 2005 in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Superior. Reverend Todd J. Iverson and Reverend W. John Stapp will co-officiate. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Superior.Pallbearers will be his nine grandchildren. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospice Duluth, or Our Savior's Lutheran Church and designated to either Music Ministry or the Building Fund.