Delmore L. Johnson

Delmore Lee Johnson, 86, of Belgrade, died Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the St. Cloud Hospital. His memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Crow River Lutheran Church near Belgrade. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at the church and for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Belgrade. www.hafh.org

Delmore Lee Johnson was born on the family farm south west of Belgrade on February 22, 1933. He was the son of Ray M. Johnson and Randine (Thompson) Johnson. He was a lifetime member of Crow River Lutheran church. He graduated from Belgrade High School with the class of 1951. On June 6, 1954, he was united in marriage at Paynesville Lutheran church to his high school sweetheart, Lucille (Suzie) Wengler. They made their home and raised their family on the Johnson family farm. Delmore and Suzie moved off the family farm and son, Guy moved on in 1981, as the 4th generation Johnson. They built their retirement home, a one level earth home that included many windows in front to watch the wild life, which he really enjoyed. He continued farming with his son, Guy, till 2012.

Delmore was a lifelong member of Crow River Lutheran Church. He was a  very active and served in many leadership roles, on church council, 3 call committees, sang in church choirs, taught Sunday school, served as prayer partner for confirmation students, and enjoyed the Sunday morning coffee fellowship. He also loved his community. He was a member of the Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award for 25 years of service. He was on the committee for the 100 years celebration for Belgrade and the committee that built the Centennial wall. He served on the school board for 21 years, during that time he saw the merger of BBE, the building of the new high school and gave out the first diploma there to his oldest daughter, Gail. He enjoyed watching all his children in sports and music events.

He enjoyed 17 bonus years, after being diagnosed with Kidney disease, to travel on bus trips, see all grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and almost all the grandchildren’s weddings. His faith and family were so important to him.

Delmore is survived by beloved wife of 65 years, Suzie; children, Gail (Darrell) Hoekstra of Willmar, Guy (Twylene) Johnson of Andover, Mary Niklaus of Monticello, Linda (Jeff) Annis of Mapleton; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and sisters, Ruby Thorson, and Myra (Gurvin) Femrite. He was preceded in death by his parents, Brother-in-law, Francis Thorson, and son-in-law, Dave Niklaus.

Delmore’s family would like to thank Centra Care locations in Paynesville, Willmar and St. Cloud for their wonderful compassionate care. A special thanks to the dialysis unit at Caris Health in Willmar.

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