Kevin Johnson

Kevin passed away on July 21, 2025, after battling Lewy body Dementia.

Kevin Lee Johnson was born on October 28, 1952, in Albert Lea, MN, to Richard and Helen Johnson. He attended Albert Lea schools and graduated in 1971. Kevin was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, where he was confirmed and married.

While in high school, Kevin was a member of the ALHS men's gymnastics team. He qualified for the state meet and placed 3rd in the still rings his senior year. Kevin enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on St. Olaf Lake (and later retired to Beaver Lake) where he honed his waterskiing skills. His family and friends can attest to the fact that he could ski around St. Olaf Lake without ever getting wet, taking off from the dock and ending up on shore. After graduation, Kevin set out to work in the family business, becoming the 3rd generation at Johnson Heating and Air Conditioning, which opened its doors in 1912. Eventually, Kevin purchased the business from his parents, which has since been purchased by Kevin's son and daughter, marking the 4th generation of Johnson Heating and Air Conditioning ownership.

Kevin met his happily ever after, Christine Supalla, at the New Richland Legion in 1982, uniting in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church on June 4, 1983. The union created an instant family with Chris' children, Nicole and Chad, along with Kevin's daughter, Jennifer. The following year, their son, Mark, was born.

Family camping trips were a staple as the kids grew up. Particularly memorable trips included Michigan's UP, South Dakota's Black Hills, and Yellowstone National Park. If they weren't camping, summer days were spent at The Lake. In the winter, Kevin loved snowmobiling and downhill skiing. There were many trips with the snowmobiling group (comprised of family and friends who were like family) to Northern MN and WI. Skiing trips to Steamboat Springs, CO, were highlights of many winters, even the year that the entire crew got the stomach bug. Kevin enjoyed many Caribbean cruises with family and friends over the years and spent some time post-retirement in Lake Havasu, AZ, escaping Minnesota winters.

Kevin had a lifelong love of music that started with playing the piano as a child. He took up the guitar as a teenager, which he continued to play most of his life. Kevin was also a good singer, singing and playing guitar in a band in high school and later lighting up the stage at the famous karaoke parties on St. Olaf Lake, hosted by friend Tom McCrady. His favorite song to sing was "All I Have To Do Is Dream" by the Everly Brothers, a duet that he would perform with Tom. Kevin loved The Beatles' music and had their entire collection on CD. He was a fan of 70s rock music as a younger man but later became an avid country music fan. No evening was complete without enjoying a beer or cocktail with friends and family. It was particularly fun night if the music got really loud, always ending with The Eagles.

Kevin is survived by his wife Christine; his children Nicole Schumaker, Chad (Megan) Toft, Jennifer (Gregg) Ewing, and Mark (Ellen) Johnson; as well as his cherished grandchildren, Brody Schumaker and Logan (Maleah) Schumaker, Natalie Toft, Shellby and Pennelope Ewing, and Lauren, Kaila, and Brooks Johnson. Kevin recently welcomed his first great-granddaughter, Evelyn Lee Schumaker. Also surviving Kevin are siblings, Kristi (Ed) LaPointe, Gary Johnson, and Paul (Jeanette) Johnson; and siblings-in-law, Gretchen Supalla, Barb (Dave) Lyndgaard, and Randy (Sue) Supalla.

Preceding Kevin in death are his parents, Richard and Helen Johnson; son-in-law, Todd Schumaker; father-in-law, Laurence Supalla; mother-in-law, Irene Supalla; brothers-in-law Mike Supalla and Reuben Woitas; sister-in-law, Betty Woitas; as well as his grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and beloved family dogs, Bagel-the-Beagle, Shakespeare, and granddog, Meeka.

Services for Kevin will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea; visitation to begin at 9:00 AM. Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church (924 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN 56007) and the Lewy body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org/donate/).