Ralph Gene Johnson, age 64, of Isanti died March 16, 2011 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 21st at Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti. A visitation will be held from 2:00 – 6:00 P.M. Sunday, March 20th at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel and also one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.
Ralph G. Johnson was born January 10, 1947 in Duluth, MN, the son of Helmer and Mabel (Patrick) Johnson. Ralph spent his childhood in McGregor on the family farm. After graduating from McGregor High School he went on to college and graduated from The University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1970.
Ralph lived in Isanti for the past 30 years. He was a well known business man, owner of Classic Cabinetry. He was active in the community serving on the city council from 2002 to 2008. He served on the Isanti Economic Development Authority, the Isanti Planning Commission, and the Community Involvement team. Ralph was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church since 1984 and served on many committees and at one time the President of the church council.
Throughout his life, Ralph had a passion for hunting and fishing. He spent every fall since he was a boy deer hunting with the extended family. He enjoyed hunting out of state with friends and family. When he wasn’t hunting he was fishing either in the boat or on the ice. He loved to share his passion of the outdoors with his daughters, Danielle and Laura and grandson Lukas. Another pastime he enjoyed was playing cards, especially cribbage. Ralph could always be found in the kitchen cooking whether it was for a small family dinner or large event.
Ralph was a loving father. He enjoyed being papa and was looking forward to the birth of his second grandchild in September. Ralph enjoyed spending time with his girls especially going to the lake, hunting shack and family vacations.
Ralph passed away unexpectedly on March 16, 2011 at his home at the age of 64 years, 2 months and 6 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Mabel and brothers, Robert and John.
Ralph is survived by his daughters, Danielle Johnson (Nick Pearson), Laura (Patrick) Lillemo; grandson, Lukas Schuh; former wife, Cheryl Johnson; sisters, Arlene (Jerry) Scherber, Marilyn (Ken) Tevdt; sister-in-laws, Kathy (Darrell) Johnson, Anita Johnson and many other relatives and friends.
The staff at the Creamery Crossing send our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Ralph. He had some great times in the morning with the guys shaking dice and of course providing his input on a variety of topics.
The news of his sudden unexpected death struck all of us very hard.
Darrell Carlberg
Creamery Crossing
Isanti, MN
Ralph will certainly be missed as a friend, a fishing buddy and a cribbage opponnent! We had alot of great times with Ralph! He will be sorely missed! Hermanson family sends their thoughts to the family. Ralph has created alot of great memories for us.
We heartfelt sympathy we will miss Ralph as a good friend. Duke will miss the fun times he had fishing with Ralph both on the ice and in a boat. Will remember the time we all went to Florida together and had such a good time with the family. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family.
I want to send my thoughts and prayers to Ralph’s family. I will never forget how I met that man, very memorable to say the least. Everyone knew how much he loved his girls and his grandson. He had his own way about him and he will be deeply missed.
I want to send my heartfelt sympathy to Ralph’s entire family. What a shock to open the Aitkin paper and read of Ralph’s passing. We had many good times with Ralph and his family both when we lived in McGregor and in Coon Rapids.If I have memories, I know his family does. My heart goes out to each of you.
Ginny
In the family’s time of mourning I hope you will take comfort in that Jehovah God has made a wonderful promise for a resurrection into his Kingdom that is recorded at Revelation 21:3, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.