Olaf Johnson

Olaf Johnson, age 91, from rural Fosston, Minnesota passed away on Monday, May 14th at First Care Hospital in Fosston. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 18th at 2:00 PM at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with Rev. Dr. Gerald White officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the funeral at the church, and interment will be at Poplar River Cemetery at Fosston. Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements. Sympathy messages may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Olaf Johnson was born on February 2, 1916 to parents Carl and Nora (Rude) Johnson at Fertile, Minnesota where he grew up and attended rural school.During WWII Olaf worked in Newfoundland on a military base as a painter for the U.S. Government. After the war, he went to Minneapolis and continued work as a painter. Olaf also worked for REA in North Dakota. In 1949, he went into farming with his brother, Walter in Gregory Township, Mahnomen County, Minnesota. Olaf was later joined in the farming operation by brothers, John and Rudolph.On June 29, 1957 Olaf was united in marriage to Elvera Anderson in Crookston, and they made their home on the farm in Gregory Township. Elvera passed away on October 4, 1990. Olaf remained on the farm until April 2006 when he entered Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, Minnesota.Olaf was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston, Minnesota. He loved farming, working on machinery , and building tractors. After Olaf retired, he played cello with his brothers, John and Kenneth at the state fair and at various other places.On Monday, May 14, 2007 Olaf passed away at First Care Hospital in Fosston at the age of 91 years.Survivors include one son, Mark (Sharon) of Fosston; one son-in-law, Mike Roragen of Bejou, MN; five grandchildren, Carrie (Paul) Chillman, Rachael Parrish, Christopher Roragen, Angela (Casey) Bauer, and Bridget Baumgartner; six great grandchildren; four brothers, Rudolph, and John of Fosston, Walter (Lucille) of Crookston, MN, and Kenneth (Verla) of Fertile; as well as many other relatives.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elvera; two daughters, Deborah Roragen, and Catherine Baumgartner; and five brothers, Hjalmer, Leonard, Albert, Alfred, and Elmer.