Ervin Johnson

Ervin H. Johnson, age 90, of Perham, MN, died Tuesday, November 10, 2009, in the Perham Memorial Hospital.


Ervin was born July 26, 1919, in Tordenskjold Township in Underwood, MN, to George and Minnie (Mattfeld) Johnson. He served from 1942-1945 as a Corporal in the Unites States Army, Company B 335th Engineers. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal and five overseas service bars. He moved to Montana where he worked construction on the railroad and worked on a ranch until 1949 when he returned to Perham, MN, to work at Matz and Greiff Garage. He married Carrie LaVonne Parker in 1951.He retired in 1981.


He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, pitching horseshoes, reading the Bible and watching old western movies. He was an active community member of the Perham Sportsman Club, American Legion, and V.F.W. He was on the Pine Lake Township Board for 19 years acting as both Officer and Fire Warden. He helped organize the Gorman Town Cemetery Assn. and was a Board Member. He was also an active leader in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.


Ervin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carrie (Parker) Johnson; five children, Connie (Dave) Hovendick, Karen Johnson, Randy (Deb) Johnson, Jeff Johnson and Jody Johnson; seven grandchildren, Mandy (Shane) Lemer, Garrett Hovendick, Naomi (John) Peyerl, Desiree (Jake DeCock) Johnson, Justin Johnson, Dustin Hovendick and Logan Johnson; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Alice (Johnson) Fankhanel and many special nieces and nephews.


Preceding Ervin in death are his parents, four brothers and three sisters.


Ervin loved fishing and hunting. He enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends. He always told a good story, had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He will be missed greatly by his family and everyone who knew him.