Michael Johnson

Michael (Mick) Johnson, age 73, of Lengby, MN, passed away on Sunday, October 17th, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29th, in the Family Life Center at New Journey Church in Fosston. Military honors will be provided by the National Guard Honors Team and Spring Lake V.F.W. Post #2759 of Lengby. There will be a time of visiting and light lunch following the memorial service (about 3:00 p.m.) at the Lengby Community Hall. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Michael (Mick) Carl Johnson was born on May 25, 1948, in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Glenn and Edith (Halti) Johnson. He grew up in Lengby, Minnesota where he attended the Lengby School through the 6th grade then attended Fosston High School where he graduated in 1966 and was drafted soon after that. Mick entered the United States Army in April of 1968 and served his country during the Vietnam War.

After he returned home, he went back to work for a short time at a steel company in Minneapolis before beginning what would be a life-long career in road construction. Over the span of 40+ years his various job duties included the operation of heavy equipment, asphalt road foreman, it didn’t matter what was asked of him you name it he did it. He was working for Knife River Materials out of Bemidji, Minnesota at the time of retirement.

In 1981 he met the love of his life, Carol. With this union it brought together Mick’s four daughter’s and Carol’s two to create a large, blended family. And then in 1984 Mick and Carol’s only son was born. Mick and his family resided in Lengby next to his parents’ right by the lake. In 1991 a home was built just outside of Lengby and he had lived there ever since. He took joy in working on his yard and in his garage.

Mick enjoyed his times when visiting with family and friends as well as hunting, fishing, gopher trapping, and cannot forget trying his luck at the different casinos with Carol. But most of all he enjoyed anytime he had with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His time spent watching his grandchildren in their sports was another joy of his and when it came to these sports, he wasn’t afraid to give them his advice whether it was good or bad and it was said with love of course. When at get-togethers, you could hear his laugh eventually finding him with the kids as they gravitated to him, and he to them, he was so good with them. He also taught them how to read books and this was a moment where he held the book closely to his face and mumbled some words then gave the book to whomever he had been reading to and they would copy him.

His favorite fishing hole was Lengby lake where he spent many good times fishing, swimming, and even diving off the top diving board. He recently spent a lot of time at the ol homestead the last few summers with family and friends as well.

He was a very unique man he always had a good joke to tell too, he loved to make people laugh. His honesty was a breath of fresh air to anyone who knew him. His kindness and his willingness to help others and also his signature dance moves will never be forgotten.

Hearts he left behind:

Carol and Bo

Wendy (Derek)…. grandchildren, Shawn and Ashley

Michelle (Kyle)…. grandchildren, Dillon, Mackenzie, Parker, Hanna, Cody, Keegan, and Whitley

& great grandchildren, Lejla, Robert, James, Bentley, and Maci Mae

Helen (Cory)…. grandchildren, Carla (Kylan), Corey, Kyle, Zachary, Nicholas, and Adelynn

& Kacen, Gannon, and Mae

Marcia…. grandchildren, Trevor, Brayden, and Jaxen

& great grandchild, Hunter

Kristen (Pat)

Jenny (Craig)…. grandchildren, Jessi, Henry, Dusty, and Calli.

Adam (Nancy)…. grandchildren, Allie, Zack, Deon, Nick, Vanessa, Krista, and Alex.

Also, he is survived by his siblings, Dwight (Colleen), Ray (Deb), Greg (Karen), Tim (Meem), Gary (Julie), Steve (Pam), Carol (Jerry), Glenn Jr (Wendy) and their families.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn; parents, Glenna and Edith and many aunts and uncles.