Walter B. Johnson

Walter Bernard Johnson, 73, of Coon Rapids, Minn. passed away on Sept. 15, 2003 at his home.
Memorial services were held on Sept. 20 at the Seman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Keith Kolzow officiating. Music was provided by Mike Brama and Marianne Nold. Private interment was at Fort Snelling.
Walter (Wally) was born in the home that his father built near Rush Point on Aug. 8,1930.
Wally was baptized at Calvary Lutheran Church of Rush Point and was confirmed there on June 25, 1944. He attended
District 24 School through the eighth grade.
At the age of 16 he started working for Russ Elofson at the Fairway Food Store in Cambridge. He worked there until he went into the service. He served his country during the Korean War ñ 1951 to 1953 ñ in the Army. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 21, 1953. He then returned to work for Russ Elofson, where he had an accident using the meat grinder and lost most of his fingers on the left hand. He was determined that this would not hinder him from doing anything and it didnít.
On Oct. 17, 1954 he married Sharon Rucker at Calvary Lutheran Church of Rush Point. They lived near Cambridge and four children were born to this marriage. He worked for Orley Eastlund for a few years. In 1961 he went to work for Gateway Foods in Fridley (they serviced Rainbow Stores). After commuting for two years they moved to Minneapolis to be closer to his work place. In 1968 they moved to Spring Lake Park where they resided for 34 years.
Wally retired from Gateway Foods after working there for 31 years. He was a hard-working person. He worked all the overtime to provide for his family.
Wally enjoyed fishing and hunting. He never got his deer, but would help others dress out their trophy. Wally and the family enjoyed many camping trips, he was a personable person and always knew everyone in the campground.
In the late 1990s Wally developed Alzheimerís Disease. This set him and his family back. He worked around the house until he couldnít. Then Wally and Sharon moved into Realife Coop of Coon Rapids. They lived there one year before he passed away. Everyone in the building knew Wally and his infectious smile and handshake. He will be missed by all.
Wally is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; Alan (Terry) of Spring Lake Park, Wendy (Curt) of Ceylon, Minn., Wayne of Ramsey, Greg (Colette) of Coon Rapids; seven grandchildren and three great-granddaughters; sister, Linnea Erickson of Cambridge, Evelyn (Karl) Kanberg of Bothell, Washington, and Inez Lofgren of Rush City.

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