Donovan H. "Don" JOHNSON

1931 - 2021

Age 89 Passed away on March 25, 2021 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born to Carl and Olive Harkness Johnson on September 13, 1931, Don grew up in Mabel and Winona, Minnesota. He married Rosella (Rosie) Mae Olson on September 12, 1953. Don worked for Northwest Orient Airlines before attending refrigeration classes at Dunwoody Industrial Institute. After several years with Cherokee Refrigeration in St. Paul, Don opened his own air-conditioning and refrigeration business, Cross Town Refrigeration. The couple raised four boys in Inver Grove Heights and spent time going to hockey games and camping around Minnesota. Much hunting and fishing was done while living in the camper. Retiring eventually to Remer, Minnesota, Don and Rosie spent summers at the lake and took the motorhome to warmer climates in the winter time. Rosie died August 19, 1998 in Remer, MN. After a few years of traveling between Minnesota and Texas by himself, Don met Barbara Bechard of Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were married September 27, 2002 in Muskegon, Michigan. They spent the next several years wintering in Texas and summering in Grand Rapids with many travels in between. They traveled the world as well as travels to visit family with Don carrying small photo albums of their most recent trip to entertain. Don had a wonderful memory of people and places and always had a story to tell. Survivors include his wife Barbara; sons Blaine (Karen), Brian (Colleen), Bruce (Connie) and Brad; 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Delbert (Fran); sister Lila (Tom); and Barbara's family Debra Densberger (Jim), Jill Wenger (John), Ken Wylie (Jeany), Julie Pummill (Don) and Dena Wylie (Joe). He was preceded in death by his first wife Rosie, his parents, stepfather Clarence Sveen, brother Sid, sister-in-law Nancy and daughter-in-law Kim. Due to COVID concerns, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Don's memory may be made to South United Methodist Church, 4500 Division Ave. S., Grand Rapids, MI 49548.