Donald Johnson

Donald LeVoy Johnson, age 89, was welcomed into heaven on July 13, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin surrounded by his loving family. Don was a dedicated family man and beloved friend to many. He never let even the hardest of days defeat his witty sense of humor and love for storytelling. He was a man who persevered, loved hard and lived life to the fullest. His memory will be cherished always. Don was born May 18, 1930 in Austin, MN to Melvin and Anna (Johnson) Johnson. He was a 1948 graduate of Austin High School and a graduate of Austin Vo-Tech. On April 23, 1953, he was united in marriage to Patty Lewis in Las Vegas, NV. Don & Patty shared 66 happy and loving years together. Don served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War as a Gun Fire Control Technician on the USS Rupertus. He was a 43 year employee at Hormel Foods Corporation, beginning his career at the Austin Plant in 1948 and retiring from the Corporate Office in 1991. Don was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and an active member of the St. Olaf Men’s Club. He was an avid trap shooter at Cedar Valley Conservation Club, and shot sporting clays at Pheasant Links. He had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips. He faithfully cheered on the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Don is survived by his wife, Patty “Nana”, Austin, MN; son, Brad “Tadpole” (Val) Johnson, Emmons, MN; daughter, Celeste “Chachi Baby” (David) Bennett, Wilmington, NC; son, Steve “Stefan” (Lisa “Lisa Lezlie”) Johnson, Austin, MN; son, Scott “Skeeter” (Lisa “Bomber”) Johnson, Austin, MN; sister, Marilyn Schneider, Winona, MN; brother, LaRue (Mary) Johnson, Fort Collins, CO. He was the best “Papa” to 8 grandchildren, Zachary “Zacher” Johnson, Jordan “Jordy Faye from the Milky Way” Johnson, Joe “Joefish” Johnson, Heidi “Dimples” Johnson, Olivia “Little Livy” Johnson, Elizabeth “Tweety Baby” (Isaac) Leyk, Ben “Ben-a-bump” (Danielle) Johnson, Emily “Blue Eyes” Johnson; and 6 great-grandchildren, Bella Sonnek, Ruger Johnson, Tredan Brooks, and Norah, Nina & Ian Leyk; brother in-law and sister in-law, Dale and Lois Lewis, sister in-law, Judy Nolan and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins along with several dear hunting and fishing buddies. Visitation will be held at Mayer Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 17th from 4-7pm. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 18th at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, MN at 2pm with visitation prior to the service at 1pm. Interment will be held privately at Minnesota State Veteran Cemetery in Preston, MN with full military rites. Memorials are preferred to the Cedar Valley Conservation Club or the donor’s organization of choice. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Minnesota State Cemetery
715 Highway 52
Preston MN 55965

Visitation

Wednesday, July 17 2019
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Thursday, July 18 2019
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

St. Olaf Lutheran Church
306 2nd St. NW
Austin MN 55912

Service

Thursday, July 18 2019
2:00 PM

St. Olaf Lutheran Church
306 2nd St. NW
Austin MN 55912