Dean W Johnson

Dean passed away surrounded by family, into the presence of his Lord & Savior on March 31, 2025 at the age of 94. Born in Eau Claire, WI to Wooderd & Esther. He lived life to the fullest with a love for all things fishing and music. An entertainer at heart, he played banjo, mandolin, and ukulele all by ear and could recite many songs from memory.
He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. After returning home to WI from his service, he met & married his beloved wife Marlys. They moved to the Twin Cities where he finished schooling and started his career at Honeywell as an explosive technician.
Together they raised four children in New Hope, MN. They were active members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. Dean was a Sunday School teacher, being a mentor to many not only to church youth, but to Boy Scouts, Liberian Church members that met at POP church, as well as many nephews, nieces and grandchildren.
After retiring from Honeywell, he continued working part-time with a Vending company and kept busy with volunteer work. Loaves & Fishes, Meals on Wheels, & Lutheran Social Services to name a few. Dean found joy in his later life as a lay minister at Timbers Senior Apartments through Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. He took initiative in his goal to live to be 100 by swimming and exercising regularly at the YMCA. He was a determined man and didn't give up easily in anything, always striving to succeed in whatever he was doing.
Dean & Marlys moved to Farmington to be close to their grandchildren and attend all the swimming meets, band concerts, and marching band competitions they could. Spaghetti and game nights were a highlight of most weeks. Family was his ultimate treasure; he had a positive outlook on life & unconditional love for all. He had a song for every receptionist, and maybe even a story or two to follow. The stories usually involved some fishing event that he couldn't get enough of. He loved any opportunity 'to soak a worm'.
Dean and Marlys shared 65 happy years together, inseparable until she left this world in September 28, 2024. The Love he had for Marlys was undeniable. He weathered the road right by her side as her caretaker as she journeyed through her battle with Alzheimer's. He took great pride in the fact that they were able to sleep in the same bed up until the end and would often bring her flowers to cheer her up, he was her 'ultimate cheerleader'.
Dean was preceded in death by his wife Marlys, Sister Joan Greguson, Brother in-laws; Paul Greguson, Jim Braaten, Frank DeGaetano, and John Braaten, as well as sister in law, Pat Braaten. He is survived by children; Deb Spiel (Ed), Coral Pierson (Mark), Marcus Johnson, and Matthew Alexander (Parker Deen), Grandchildren; Tony Spiel (Jenn), Allissa Lyng (Thor), Oran Deen-Lester, Aidan Deen-Lester (Raeven), and Heather Deen-Lester, Great Grandchildren; Emerson and Nora Spiel, Sister in-laws; Borgne McClelland, Ruth Glesne, and Janet DeGaetano, Brother in-laws; Robert McClelland, and Jim Glesne, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Family would like to extend a big thank you to Lexington Pointe Senior Living staff and Minnesota Hospice for the care and patience that was provided during the last couple of months