Alfred 'Al' Johnson

Alfred Al Johnson, age 72, of Mt. Lake passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 after an 8 month battle with Esophageal cancer. Funeral services will be 2pm, Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Lake with Rev. Rick Bremseth officiating. Visitation will be 4-8pm Friday at Sturm Funeral Home in Mt. Lake and one hour before services at the Church on Saturday. Burial will be at a later date at the Mountain Lake City Cemetery. Alfred Henry Johnson was born November 9th, 1945 in Mountain Lake, MN to Harm and Mary (Henze) Johnson He grew up on the family farm north of Mountain Lake where he learned his love of working the land, animals and how to be a hard worker. He attended Mountain Lake schools. After high school Al worked for Floyd Dehmlow grinding feed and also Ed Schriock Tiling until entering the Army. He entered the US Army in November of 1965 where he served as a cook. While in the military he earned a Certificate of Merit, Sharpshooter Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Rule Badge. He was honorably discharged in November of 1967 at the rank of SP4. After the Army Al worked for the Toro Company in Windom, MN from 1968-69. He next worked for the Land O Lakes in Mountain Lake as bulk milk truck driver from 1969-1977 – he enjoyed seeing and visiting with the dairy famers every day (his wife Cindy always got a kick out of telling everyone her kids were the milkmans kids). He went to work again for the Toro Company in Windom, where he spent most of his years as a fork lift driver, from 1993-2008 when he retired. While working these jobs from 1969 until his death, he was also always a full time farmer where he enjoyed the early mornings, taking care of the animals, working the land and country living. He passed on his work ethic and love of the land to his kids and grandkids. Al married Cindy Johnson in December of 1971 at the Presbyterian Church in St. James. This marriage was blessed with two children; daughter Cheri and son Matt. Al was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Mountain Lake where he was baptized in January of 1946 and confirmed in March of 1959. While a member there he was active as an usher and on the funeral committee. Al knew how to love and enjoy life! He enjoyed a cold beer, a little gambling and playing cards; cribbage and Texas Holdem were his favorite. He especially enjoyed his Thursday Darfur guys and Saturday Phat Pheasant group. Als greatest joy in life was his family. His wife Cindy was the love of his life. He knew from the first time he met her that she was the one he even told her that night that he would marry her someday – and he did! He cherished every day of the life that they built together and every adventure they went on. His kids Cheri and Matt and his Grandkids Tristyn and Tyler always gave him a reason to smile, kept him going to activities and events to support them and cheer them on (usually roaring up on his Harley), helping in the shop, or just having fun. He LOVED being a Grandpa. His grandkids will remember him for all of the fun nicknames he gave them, driving way to fast when taking the on rides on the farm, his love of western movies that he forced them to watch and always making them feel loved. His special joy in life was riding motorcycle. This led him and a few friends to form the Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club April 16, 1976. He was a proud founding member and remained a member until his passing. He and Cindy went on many trips on their motorcycle, some with the club and some on their own where they made many wonderful memories, made great friends and saw the United States together. In their years of trips on the motorcycle they had the opportunity to ride together in all 50 states! Al also enjoyed fishing on the ice or in the lake, it was all fun for him. He never turned down the opportunity to go on a fishing trip, tell a few fish tales and have a good time! Al always had a soft spot for his dogs (Nancy, Goldie, Lady and Lucy). He was well known for bringing his dog everywhere with him and spoiling them rotten with treats and a warm spot by the wood burner in the house in the winter. Survivors include his wife Cindy Johnson of Mt. Lake, daughter Cheri (Wayne Gritz) Maras of Windom, Son Matt Johnson of Mt. Lake, grandchildren Tristyn & Tyler Maras of Windom, siblings Ronald Johnson of CA, Verona (Tom) White of SC, Carol Arndt of Windom, Leann (Geof) Johnson of Windom, in-laws Jim (Carolyn) Johnson of WI, Eugene (Corrine) Johnson of Woodbury, JoAnn (Don) Hanson of IA, Daren Dodd of St. James, many nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents Harm & Mary Johnson, sister Janice (Wayne) Ewing and many relatives and friends. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Friday, March 23, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Visitation 2 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, March 24, 2018 Trinity Lutheran Church-Mountain Lake 1418 - 2nd Avenue Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 2:00 pm Saturday, March 24, 2018 Trinity Lutheran Church-Mountain Lake 1418 - 2nd Avenue Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information 2:15 pm Saturday, May 19, 2018 Mountain Lake City Cemetery 10th St. N at Midway Rd Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Fellowship Please join the family for lunch and fellowship following the service.