Dean Johnson

Dean Allen Johnson died at his rural Rush City, Minnesota home on May 19, 2002, at the age of 43 years. His death occurred following 15 years of major health problems.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pine City, Minn. with the Reverend Jack Koch and the Reverend Vicki VanderVegt officiating. Music was provided by Glenna Reierson, Diane Bengtson, Jon Ekstrom and Glenn Larsen. Honorary casket bearers were the nurses at Abbott North-western Hospital and the staff of Fairview Home Caring and Hospice. Casket bearers were Bruce Carlson, Mark Carlson, David Gravdal, Anders Johnson, Peter Johnson, and Dale Johnson. Interment was at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City.
Arrangements were by the Olson Chapel, Funeral & Cremation Service, Rush City, Minn.
The son of Willard E. and Doris (Gravdal) Johnson, Dean was born January 27, 1959 in Rush City. Due to the cold winter weather that year he was baptized at home. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Rush City.
Dean attended Rush City Elementary School and graduated from Rush City High School in 1977. He then attended Pine City Vocational School for two years, where he studied auto mechanics. His dream, however, was to become a farmer, and in 1979 he realized that dream when he began his own dairy farm operation.
On October 24, 1981, Dean married the former Diane Sprunk, a union that was to last for 20-1/2 wonderful years. Their son, Jason Dean, was born in 1984. Dean was extremely proud of Jason at his birth and throughout his lifetime.
At the age of nine Dean was diagnosed with diabetes. Although he took good care of himself and stayed active, at age 27 he began suffering from kidney failure. Receiving dialysis over a period of 18 months and being a determined farmer, Dean continued milking his cows.
In 1988 he underwent a successful kidney transplant, but in 1989 his health began to deteriorate and he discontinued the dairy farm. At that time he became employed at Kennen Dairy Supplies where he enjoyed going to the various farms and visiting with the farmers.
In 1990 Dean began to have problems with his circulation and eventually underwent amputation of both his legs and both of his hands. Once more he was determined to pursue his dream of being involved in farming and began working for Bruce Carlson, milking cows and doing field work. His handicap not only did not deter him, it barely slowed him down. He continued to have a few cattle and sheep on his own farm.
Three years ago Dan was diagnosed with cancer. He achieved remission with the grace of God and excellent medical treatment. However, his vascular disease became worse and his kidney was beginning to fail. He continued to struggle with his health problems for another two years before finally coming home to rest. His faith, love and belief in God carried him through 15 years of sever medical problems, of which he never complained or asked why. He enjoyed being with his family and visiting with friends. He will be missed by all, but his love and determination will continue forever.
Dean was preceded in death by his father, Willard, and his grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Jason; mother, Doris Johnson, all of Rush City; sisters: Barbara (Charles) Duffeck, Menasha, WI and Joanne (Douglas) Mooers, Palmdale, Calif.; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends. Peace be to his memory.

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