Raymond Johnson

Raymond Johnson, age 91, passed away on October 10, 2022 surrounded by his family. Raymond was born in Benson, Minnesota on March 24, 1931 the son of Olof and Regina Johnson. He was the youngest son in the family of twelve siblings including brothers George, Rudolph, Marvin, Morris, Ingvald, Oscar, Frank and sisters Gerda, Mildred, Selma and Delores. Growing up on the family farm he developed his dedication to family, his strong work ethic, and his love of music playing together with all of his brothers. He graduated from Benson Senior High School and served in the Air Force. Following his military service he worked at Minnesota Linseed.
He met the love of his life, Evelyn Knutson, at a ballroom dance in Glenwood, Minnesota and they were married in 1956. Together over the next 63 years they built their home and life in Brooklyn Park and they raised four children, Lori, Julie, Brad, and Janelle. He attended Dunwoody Institute and studied carpentry and proudly spent his career working at Opus Corporation as a Master Carpenter. Ray used these skills to build a beautiful home and passed many of his skills on to his family. The children and grandchildren were often found in his workshop working next to him and they learned valuable lessons not only about the wood and tools, but also many life lessons, especially patience and pride in workmanship. Ray and Evie were members of Discover Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, actively participating and raising their family in faith over the past fifty seven years.
Ray was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. His greatest joy was his family. He has been actively involved in the lives of his children, thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren with an eighth on the way. Ray and Evie would attend every event possible and would just burst with pride. For all of his family, the best moments and most difficult moments in life have been shared with him by our side; the feeling of love, compassion, pride, humor and pure joy he exuded will live forever in our hearts.
Raymond is preceded in death by his wife Evelyn; grandson, Matthew; and great-grandson Connor. He is survived by daughters, Lori (Mike) Wingert, Julie Benson, and Janelle (Eric Nelson) Crawford; son, Brad (Deb) Johnson; grandchildren, David (Meaghan) Wingert, Mark (Alexandra) Wingert, Nina Wingert, Amanda (Vincent Maertz) Thrawl-Maertz, Michael Benson, Kyle Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kaitlyn Crawford, Zachary Crawford, Kamryn Crawford, Zander Crawford, Adin Nelson, Summer Nelson; great-grandchildren Ella and Emme Thrawl, Elsee and Eddgar Maertz, Hannah, Rowen, and Caden Wingert and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation Monday, October 17, 5-8 pm with Prayer Service 7:30 pm at Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel. Tuesday, October 18, Visitation 10 am; Funeral Service 11 am, at Discover Church, Brooklyn Park. Toni's Flowers Anoka (763) 421-3123.
Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel 763-767-1000