David Gollen Johnson

David Gollen Johnson, age 79, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at his home in Austin, Minnesota. David was born on December 12, 1944, to Cleo and Betty (Hanson) Johnson in Austin, Minnesota. He graduated from Austin High School in 1962 and went on to attend Austin Vocational Technical College for two years in the carpentry program. He then moved to California for two years and returned to Austin where he began working for Wilbert Burial Vaults for 20 years. David also spent time working at Jimmy’s Fish & Seafood and did groundskeeping at the Austin Country Club and The Oaks Country Club. On July 24, 1965, David married Judy Kaye Opsahl in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple was blessed with three sons. 

David was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and past member of the Austin Eagles. David enjoyed reading, fishing, and playing baseball in his younger years. He also loved to play golf and achieved a double Eagle at The Oaks Country Club and a hole-in-one at the Ramsey Golf Course. David was a bat boy for the Austin semi-pro team, liked to play pool and compete in pool tournaments (including a tournament in Las Vegas). He enjoyed woodworking in his basement, making cribbage boards, and decorative music boxes. 

Survivors include his three sons, Shane (Jenny) Johnson, Dave (Kim) Johnson, and Chad (Joy) Johnson; grandchildren, Savanah (Jeremiah), Alexann (Fudo), Cory, Sara (Willie), Gage, Hannah, Alex, Seth, Ava, Luke, Summer, and Myles; many great-grandchildren, Dylan, Amaya, Callie, River, Bennett, Isla, Gi’Anna, and Baylor; siblings, Janet, Janice, and Phyllis; and many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents, Cleo and Betty Johnson; wife, Judy Kaye Johnson; siblings, Bob, Curt, Donny, and Barb; nephews, Delano Alberto Riles, Danny, Billy Dawes, and Tracy Brandt; great-nephew, Matthew Weichart; and great-niece, Isabella “Bella” Lerud-Brandt. 

A celebration of David’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials are preferred to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or recipient of donor’s choice. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes.

 

Devoted to his family

Always there for you

Very much unique

Independent as hell

Did things his way

 

Great friend to some

Only one of him

Literally good at heart

Loving to certain point

Even at his worst

Never going to give up

 

Just a normal man

Only wanted the best for us

Hardheaded men

Never gave up on a challenge

Stubborn as all hell

Original he was

Never a dull moment

 

Goodbye dad. Miss you already. Say hi to mom