Harvey Johnson, Jr.

Harvey Johnson, Jr., age 70, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Friday, December 18th, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23rd, at Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fosston. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. The funeral service will be recorded and available later in the day on Wednesday. Please wear your mask and practice social distancing if planning to attend. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. Harvey George Johnson Jr. was born on August 24th, 1950 in Veblen, SD to parents Harvey George Johnson and Emma Lucille "Lou" (Kraig) Johnson. Harvey grew up on a farm near Rutland, ND and first attended grade school in Rutland. The Johnson family moved around to various communities in ND while Harvey Sr. was working construction. While they lived in Jamestown, ND, "Junior" grew a love for the game of baseball, often shagging balls for the local team. In 1964, the family moved to Erskine, MN, where "Junior" attended and graduated High School. He participated in both Basketball and Football and also played Legion Baseball in Winger. While playing Basketball, Harvey was known as "the big guy" on the team which carried on with him beyond High School with many people knowing him as "Big Harv." After High School, Harvey attended UND working toward a major in Engineering. During the summers, he worked for Garden Valley Telephone and eventually went to work for them full time. Harvey was a bit of a teaser.....his fondest memory was teasing the gals at Garden Valley about thawing out the telephone lines in the Spring time and telling them that they should put the telephone in the garbage basket so they wouldn't get water everywhere. Harvey spent nearly all his working years in the Telecommunications industry, except for a couple years where he drove for Paradis'.Harvey enjoyed frequenting Leon & Edie's Café in Erskine, MN, where he would come in on a daily basis and order iced tea made to his specifications. He also came in once a week and helped Leon peel potatoes for the fresh French fries served by the Café......probably also to get some fresh free fries. ߘ‰ In 1973, the new waitress working at the Café caught his eye! It wasn't long before "Big Harv" asked Betty Hagge on a date to go roller-skating at the Maple Lake Pavilion. Their romance blossomed and the couple was married Aug. 3rd, 1974. The couple began their married life in a little house, known as the A&W house due to its' unique color scheme in Erskine, MN and moved to a small hobby farm SE of Fosston, MN in 1976 where they remained. Harvey and Betty were blessed with 3 children. Harvey loved his family and enjoyed passing on his love for hobby farming and the outdoors. Some of his fondest memories were fishing in Canada with his buddies, deer hunting with family and the LaVoi's, and spending hours upon hours with and talking about horses.Harvey had a love for all people and was known for his big heart, big smile and outgoing spirit. However, he had an especially soft spot in his heart for his grandkids. He greatly enjoyed wrestling with his grandsons, letting his granddaughters curl his hair and giving all of them rides outside on the lawn mower and teaching many of them about hunting. He also had a presence in the community serving on the Fosston School Board, Calvary Free Lutheran Church Board and the Rosebud Town Board.Harvey is survived by his wife Betty of Fosston, MN; his 3 children Joshua (Tammy) Johnson of Bagley, MN, Heather Broadwell of Fosston, MN and David (Riley) Johnson of Maple Grove, MN; 9 grandchildren, Payton, Gabriel, Brenna, Liam, Elias, Josie, Morgan, Myles and Hallie; Sister Beverly Greaver of Gary, MN and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Harvey was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and "Lou" Johnson and Niece Beverly "Babe" Greaver. Blessed be his memory.

Visitation

Saturday, December 26, 2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Calvary Free Lutheran Church
910 6th St. NE Fosston 56542, United States

Funeral Service

Saturday, December 26, 2020 11:00 AM
Calvary Free Lutheran Church
910 6th St. NE Fosston 56542, United States