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Duane Johnson

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Duane Johnson, 66 year old resident of Swanville, MN, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Randall, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 18th at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville, with Fr. Ron Dockendorf officiating. Burial will be at St. John The Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Swanville. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Tuesday and from 10 to 11 AM Wednesday, both at the church. Arrangements are with Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN.

Duane was born on May 28, 1951 in Little Falls, MN to the late Leonard and Donna (Pfaff) Johnson. He grew up in Swanville, MN where he attended Swanville Schools and graduated from Swanville High School. He enlisted in the U.S Army and proudly served his country from 1970 until his honorable discharge in 1972. Duane was united in marriage to Joyce Plakut  on May 15, 1976 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski, MN. The couple made their home in Swanville and were blessed with four children, Bradley, Karla, Matthew, and Kelsey. Over the years he was employed at Grain Belt, Sanitary Milk and Ice Cream, Gessell Feed Mill, Kuepers Construction and he owned and operated  Johnson Stump Removal. Duane was an extremely devoted husband, father and community member. His commitment to his fellow neighbors and city and county residents was second to none. He dedicated much of his time to the Swanville American Legion, Swanville Lions, Swanville Planning and Zoning, Morrison County Relay For Life, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Morrison County and the City of Swanville, MN. Duane was elected as Swanville Mayor in 1989 and served until 2006. He was active in the Swanville Lions Clubs for over 30 years where he served as past president, secretary and received many local and national awards through the years as a Lion. Duane was elected as Morrison County Commissioner on November 7, 2006.  He was sworn into office on January 9, 2007 and proudly represented the citizens of District 5 until his death on October 12, 2017.  Commissioner Johnson served as Chairman of the County Board in 2011 and 2013 and represented Morrison County on many committees including; South County Health Alliance, Region 5 Development Commission, Mississippi Headwaters Board, the Morrison County Yellow Ribbon, Community Health Services Executive Committee, Community Corrections Advisory Board, Drug Court Steering Committee, Morrison County Rural Development Finance Authority, Community Development and much more. Duane saw the organization and County through many years of change and growth.  His leadership, willingness to serve, friendly and personable approach was appreciated by staff and those who served with him through the years.

Though Duane spent many endless hours attending meetings and making sure they ran smoothly, nothing made him happier than being around his wife, children, grandchildren and all the child care children. To relax he would retire to his camper on Long Lake and just enjoy the quiet it had to offer. Duane will forever be remembered for the love and dedication he showed to family, friends, and his community.

Duane is survived by loving wife Joyce Johnson of Swanville, MN; children, Bradley (Gina) Johnson of Swanville, MN, Karla (Brian) Montag of Sauk Rapids, MN, Matthew (Kalyn) Johnson of Swanville, MN and Kelsey Johnson of Swanville, MN; siblings, Roland (Beverly) Johnson of Upsala, MN, Harvey (Judy) Johnson of Swanville, MN, Bruce (Lynn) Johnson of Swanville, MN, Linda (Bob) Feuling of Rice, MN and Kenny (Julie) Johnson of Breckenridge, MN; grandchildren, Aiden, Sophia, and Ella Montag.

Duane was preceded in death by parents, Leonard and Donna Johnson.