Magnus “Mike” Johnson of Carrington, ND, passed away Friday, September 12, 2014, at the age of 97, at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington surrounded by his loving family.

     Magnus “Mike” Stefan Johnson was born on November 20, 1916, in Gardar, ND, to John Helgi Johnson and Gudrun Magnuson Johnson.  He attended elementary and high school in Gardar, and graduated in 1935. Mike spoke Icelandic at home and first learned English at school. He had happy memories of growing up on the family farm, and he recalled skiing to school in the winter. He was proud of his Icelandic heritage. On the occasion of his 95th birthday when he was asked the secret of his long life, he said it was to never tell a lie.

     He graduated from North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) at Fargo on March 1, 1942, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Sciences.   He then attended Interstate Business College, Fargo.  In 1942, he married Gertrude Klindworth, and they lived on a farm in Fessenden, ND. They moved to Fargo in 1943; they had two sons Jay and Mark Johnson. They were later divorced. 

     He worked for Grimm Alfalfa Assoc. from 1943-47. In 1947, the family moved to Carrington, and Mike became a partner in Otto Klindworth Seed and Supply, which later became Rosenau Seed Co. He retired in 1970.

     Mike was very active in his beloved community of Carrington. He was a member of Jaycees, Kiwanis, Elks Club, Trinity Lutheran Church Council, and Trinity Lutheran Choir. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1947. He was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years.  Mike was a faithful and dedicated church and community volunteer.

     He married Ruth Watson Beck on July 10, 1972 in Casselton, ND.  Mike and Ruth enjoyed traveling and made several trips to Hawaii. The last trip to Hawaii was in 2005, with Ruth’s children. Mike was well known for his kind and gentle demeanor.  When he was younger, Mike was a pilot and enjoyed flying small planes out of Carrington.  Mike really enjoyed making beautiful doll houses for his granddaughters.

     He is survived by his beloved wife Ruth of Carrington, his son Mark Johnson of Carlsbad, CA and granddaughter Stefanie Johnson of Carlsbad.  He is also survived by his stepchildren Kathy (John) Rueter of Rochester, MN, Tom Beck of New York City, NY, and Dr. John (Brenda) Beck of Urbana, IL; nine step-grandchildren Carl (Lisa) Bommersbach, Erik Bommersbach, Christopher Beck, Tim Beck, Michelle (Shawn) Fagan, Robert Rueter, Haley De Grella, and Shannon and Rachel Beck; five step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings John (Darlene) Johnson of Gardar, ND, Verna Johnson of St. Paul, MN, and Dorothy Hendrickson of Oshkosh, WI.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Jay Johnson, brothers-in-law Orville Johnson and John Hendrickson.

PRAYER SERVICE:

Sunday at 7PM in Evans Funeral Home, Carrington

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Monday, September 15, 2014 at 2:00PM

BURIAL:

Carrington Cemetery