Wallace Dean Johnson

Wallace "Wally" Dean Johnson, age 96, of Wheaton, Minnesota, passed away at his residence in Wheaton on April 11, 2025.

Wallace “Wally” Dean Johnson was born October 11, 1928 in Wheaton MN to Waldo and Gladys (Halquist) Johnson, the oldest of seven children. He was baptized and confirmed at St Joseph Lutheran Church rural Rosholt, SD. He attended country school in rural Wheaton, MN & Rosholt, SD completing the eighth grade. He spent his early years riding horses, hunting and farming. In Nov. 1951 Wally was drafted into the United States Army and headed off to Korea during the Korean conflict. He was a medic and drove a litter carrier jeep from the front lines with wounded and dead soldiers to the mash units. He was wounded two times during his time in Korea. Wally was honorably discharged July 1953. Upon returning home Wally cut trees along the channel north of the white rock dam, helped build the Wheaton Elevator and farmed with family. Wally met a young woman at a dance in Dumont MN, which was the beginning of 68+ years of happiness. On July 23, 1956 Wally was united in marriage to Pauline K. Sorensen at Siloah Lutheran Church rural Graceville, MN. They were blessed with three daughters Jean, Pam and Deana. Wally and Pauline moved up by White Rock, SD and raised cattle, milked cows and farmed. In 1969 they bought the family farm that was originally owned by Wally’s great grandparents, Farming and raising cattle until he retired. In retirement Wally and Pauline traveled to Sweden and stayed with family on the original Homestead. Wally enjoyed teaching his grandson Tomy how to hunt; he loved hunting more than fishing but took all his grandkids fishing. He also liked to go on road trips down the lane or to the dam looking for wildlife and teaching many how to drive. Wally and Pauline traveled with Jean and OJ in their RV and visited thirty states across the country. Family was very important to him. He lived life to the fullest with no regrets. His contagious laugh and wink will be with us forever.

Wally is survived by his wife Pauline of Wheaton; daughters Jean (OJ) Osterman and Pam (Jim) Kraus both of Wheaton MN; Deana Montgomery of Moorhead, MN; nine grandchildren: Mashaila (Mike) Ritter, Tanya (Josh) Pittman, Tomy (Amber) Osterman, Sara (Kevin) Ballhagen, Katy (Adam) Lichtsinn, Carrie (Sean) Witte, Kimberly Kraus, Andrew Montgomery, Anna (Danny) Ware; twelve great-grandchildren: Kaisee Adams, James (Callie) Conroy, Cole Pittman, Zander, Xavier and Zoee Doschadis, Westin Osterman, Austin, Blake and Lexi Ballhagen, Kyle and Lane Witte; two great-great grandchildren Kaisen Adams and baby boy Conroy due in August; sisters: Kay (Lyle) LeCuyer and Susie (Dean) Roman; and sister-in-law Marjo Johnson.

Wally was preceded in death by his brothers: Jimmy (Beverly) and Roger; sisters: Bonnie (Walter) Sand, and Connie (Johnny) Swedlund; son-in-law Mike Montgomery; and grandchildren Steven James Kraus, Lisa Jo Kraus and Steven Conroy

Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton with Pastor Tim Shekleton officiating. Pianist will be Cheryl Shekleton. Interment will be in West Lakeside Cemetery, rural Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Kevin Ballhagen, Sean Witte, Adam Lichtsinn, Mike Ritter, Josh Pittman and Danny Ware. Visitation will be held Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.