Jerry Dean Johnson, age 71, of Upsala, MN, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and children after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, MN. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mike Carlson officiating. Interment will follow in Gethsemane Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Wednesday and 10 to 11 AM on Thursday at the church. Caring for Jerry and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN.
Jerry was born in Little Falls, MN to Marvin and Rosella (Donat) Johnson on January 7, 1953. He grew up on the family dairy farm near Pine Lake. He attended and graduated from Upsala High School in 1971. He went on to complete an associate degree in accounting at the Willmar Community Technical College. While attending school, he met Jackie Schmidt and married on July 20, 1974, in Montevideo. They moved to Upsala, where they raised their three children. Jerry worked for the Upsala Cooperative/Centrasota for 42 dedicated years. He enjoyed serving the farmers and the whole community. He served on the Upsala School Board from 1985-1995 and Sytek Communications Board from 1998-2020. Through his commitment to the community, he strived to bring integrity and pride to his work. He was a proud lifetime member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church. He served on church council as the treasurer for 40+ years. He loved his church and would do anything to serve the people of Gethsemane; from scooping ice cream, filling oil candles, working with youth, or ensuring that worship moved smoothly. He experienced a Cursillo gathering and continued to be a faithful servant and volunteer to the program. He was truly a disciple of Christ and his love for God gave him strength. Jerry loved working in his huge garden growing every kind of fruit and vegetable. His favorites were melons and big pumpkins. He loved sharing the harvest. He enjoyed a good cup of black tea with honey and a dish of ice cream. He never missed KLTF in the morning and enjoyed reading the daily newspaper. He was known for a twinkle in his eye, a quiet personality, and quick wit. His humor and legacy will carry on in his loved ones.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jacalyn “Jackie” (Schmidt) Johnson; son, Jeff (Stephanie) and children, Avery, Brayden, Cailyn, Danyka, and Elayna Johnson of Rice, MN; son, Jeremy (Sandy) and children, Micah and Liliana Johnson of Adams, MN; and daughter, Jenna Johnson of Lake Crystal, MN; 5 grandpups; 3 siblings, Gary (Sharon) Johnson, Larry (Robin) Johnson, and Terry (Jim) Karpinski.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Rosella (Donat) Johnson.
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