Fillmore Johnson

A life long resident of Harris, Minn., passed away unexpectedly but peacefully Oct. 23, 2003, at age of 86 years.
Fillmore D. Johnson was born June 27, 1917, in St. Paul, Minn. to Peter Olof ìOleî Johnson and Hilda Hesslund Johnson.
Fillmore was raised on the family farm west of Harris. As he grew in years he attended the Willow Grove School and the school in Harris completing the 8th grade. He also attended First Lutheran Church, sang in the choir, and was busy with Luther League. He had a good singing voice and loved music. He started taking accordion lessons at 15 and was soon quite an accomplished player being asked to play at many occasions. It was always a treat when the accordion came out and music filled the house. In the fall of 1940 he enrolled in the Farm School at the University of Minnesota Ag. Campus. Completing his course in March of 1941. He always spoke with fond memories of those days and the life long friends he made there.
After returning to the farm he took over more and more of the operation and soon settled into his life long vocation. HE loved being a dairy farmer even thought the work was hard and the hours were long. He spent many hours behind the horse and plow and in the barn milking cows.
On Oct. 23, 1945, he married the love of his life, Lucille Robertson. They were a good team and together worked the farm and raised their family. 1946 was a big year. Fillmore became a father and he bought his first tractor. Now his dairy operation was growing as well as his family. Soon another daughter was born and he took on more land. Life took on a routine of planting, milking, harvesting, family and community. This did not leave much time for leisure activities.
Besides being a dairy farmer and a family man he was a civic leader. He was on the Harris Town Board, President of the Farm Bureau, President of the Shipping Association, an election judge, and very involved in his political party.
In his later years life slowed a bit and he and Lucille were able to make a trip to Sweden. They stayed with relatives for two weeks. He was able to speak Swedish and had no trouble conversing with them. They were able to enjoy a few more trips before health problems kept them closer to home.
Fillmore also became known as quite a historian. He was a virtual walking encyclopedia of facts and information on Harris and its residents. He was even awarded the first ìFavorite Citizen Awardî given by the city of Harris. He also enjoyed writing and authored many articles that were published in the local papers.
Fillmore was a gentle giant of a man with a heart of gold. He loved his family and his community. He never forgot a birthday or anniversary. In the spring he would pick fresh flowers for Lucille, bring a treat for his girls if he went to town and of course the bear hugs that girls looked so forward to. Even though he had no grandchildren of his own, many children called him ìGrandpaî which made him very happy.
Fillmore is preceded in death by his parents and loving wife Lucille. He is survived by his daughters Arla (Donald) Rost of New Brighton, Minn. and Elna Johnson of Pittsburgh, Penn., brother Grant Johnson of North Branch, Minn. and many friends and relatives.
He will be greatly missed by his family. He was always so solid and dependable, wise and non-judgmental. Someone who would really listen and share in your ups and downs. His
community will also miss him. May he rest in Peace.

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