Norman Lester Johnson

Norman Lester Johnson, 100, of New London, died Saturday, July 5 at the St. Cloud Hospital. His memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 19 at Crow River Lutheran Church in rural Belgrade. Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 pm, Friday at Johnson Funeral Home in New London and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with Military Honors will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to New London Fire Department or Crow River Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Harvey Andeson & Johnson Funeral Home in New London. www.hafh.org

Norman Lester Johnson was born on May 17, 1925, to Henry and Lillie (Hendrickson) Johnson in Belgrade. He was baptized and confirmed at Crow River Lutheran Church. Norman was drafted in 1945 into the U.S. Air Force. During his service, he was stationed at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas and Lowry Field in Denver, Colorado. He was honorably discharged in December 1946. On August 11, 1948, Norman married Lorraine Zirbes at Crow River Lutheran Church, and together they made their home in New London.

Norman was a licensed funeral director in New London and worked at the family-owned Johnson Funeral Home, along with Johnson Hardware, and ambulance service. He completed the electrician’s program at Willmar Vo-Tech and became a licensed Master Electrician. He continued that work until 1985, when he became a state electrical inspector for a three-county area around Duluth, before transferring back to central Minnesota.

A dedicated member of his community, Norman joined the New London Fire Department in 1953 and later served as Fire Chief. He retired from the fire department in 1978. He took great pride in his years with the department.

Norman was an active member of Crow River Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and sharing his musical talents. He was also active with the New London American Legion since 1947. He loved music and spent over 60 years playing in the polka/country “Thunderbirds Band.”Norman enjoyed woodworking, crafting models of road machinery, semi-trucks, outdoor furniture, and lawn ornaments.

Above all, Norman cherished his wife, Lorraine. The two were inseparable, always enjoying each other’s company, whether driving around town or spending a favorite date night at the Greenwald Pub.

Norman is survived by his children: Michael (Geri) Johnson, Tammy (Wayne) Hendrickson, and Robbie (Shannon) Johnson; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Gervaise Peterson.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lorraine; his parents, Henry and Lillie; and his brother, Richard Johnson.

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