1915
Carl
2006
Carl Johnson
November 20, 1915 — April 4, 2006
Carl Johnson, age 90, of Perham, MN, died Tuesday, April 4, 2006, at the Perham Memorial Hospital, Perham, MN. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 10, 2006, beginning at 11:00 am at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Perham, with Father Joe Herzing officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 9, at Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm.
Today we bury our husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; teacher and friend; nurturer, hero, and a beloved child of God. We are unable to join him on this last journey, but we will feel his presence every day. He was truly a blessing in our lives.
Carl was born at the home of his parents, John and Minnie (Waldow) Johnson, on November 20, 1915, in Willow Lake, SD. He attended country school through the eighth grade, and then helped his father with the operation of the farm. In 1934 his family moved to Fergus Falls, MN. After time with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Carl returned to Fergus Falls and worked for North American Creamery. He met Mary Wientjes, the love of his life, and they were married in Butler, MN, in 1941, and lived in Fergus Falls until his induction into the US Army in 1942. He was severely injured in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and honorably discharged in August 1945. He was awarded a European Theater of Operation Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Service Bars and a Purple Heart. Carl, his wife, and daughter, Bette (born in 1942), then moved back to Corliss Township near Perham, MN, to begin a long period of recuperation. Son, Gene, was born in April 1948. In 1952 they moved to Perham. His physical limitations never prevented him from working a number of jobs, including Frank's Sport Shop and the VFW Club. His patience and perseverance will continue to humble all of us. The difficult times were made easier by his marvelous sense of humor and all his witticisms. His love of the Minnesota Twins afforded him much entertainment and consternation. How fitting that Carl would leave us at the end of the opening game of the Twins' '06 season. Fishing with family provided hours of enjoyment throughout his lifetime. He was so proud to be a veteran and revered the red, white, and blue for which he fought. Carl's sacrifice is only exceeded in meaning by the quiet inspiration he has been to all of us. We salute you, Carl - our hero!
Carl is survived by his daughter, Bette (David) Reeder, Perham, MN; son, Gene (Mary) Johnson, Hibbing, MN; two sisters, Ann Anderson, Perham, MN; and Hazel Luebke, Perham, MN; two brothers-in-law, Henry Jr. (Darlene) Wientjes, Rosemount, MN; and John (Janice) Wientjes, Perham, MN; five grandchildren, Amy, David John (Katie), Jennifer (Dave), Scott and Jeff (Liz); three step-grandchildren, Jay, Jeni and Mike; and ten great-grandchildren, Gavin, Abigail, Joseph, Nina, Quinn, Krista, Alex, Madeline, Olivia and Noah.
Carl is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary, March 3, 2006; parents; three sisters-in-law; and a brother-in-law.
Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, MN, is in charge of the arrangements. (218) 346-5175. Online tributes may be posted on www.schoenebergerfuneralhome.com.
Today we bury our husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; teacher and friend; nurturer, hero, and a beloved child of God. We are unable to join him on this last journey, but we will feel his presence every day. He was truly a blessing in our lives.
Carl was born at the home of his parents, John and Minnie (Waldow) Johnson, on November 20, 1915, in Willow Lake, SD. He attended country school through the eighth grade, and then helped his father with the operation of the farm. In 1934 his family moved to Fergus Falls, MN. After time with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Carl returned to Fergus Falls and worked for North American Creamery. He met Mary Wientjes, the love of his life, and they were married in Butler, MN, in 1941, and lived in Fergus Falls until his induction into the US Army in 1942. He was severely injured in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and honorably discharged in August 1945. He was awarded a European Theater of Operation Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Service Bars and a Purple Heart. Carl, his wife, and daughter, Bette (born in 1942), then moved back to Corliss Township near Perham, MN, to begin a long period of recuperation. Son, Gene, was born in April 1948. In 1952 they moved to Perham. His physical limitations never prevented him from working a number of jobs, including Frank's Sport Shop and the VFW Club. His patience and perseverance will continue to humble all of us. The difficult times were made easier by his marvelous sense of humor and all his witticisms. His love of the Minnesota Twins afforded him much entertainment and consternation. How fitting that Carl would leave us at the end of the opening game of the Twins' '06 season. Fishing with family provided hours of enjoyment throughout his lifetime. He was so proud to be a veteran and revered the red, white, and blue for which he fought. Carl's sacrifice is only exceeded in meaning by the quiet inspiration he has been to all of us. We salute you, Carl - our hero!
Carl is survived by his daughter, Bette (David) Reeder, Perham, MN; son, Gene (Mary) Johnson, Hibbing, MN; two sisters, Ann Anderson, Perham, MN; and Hazel Luebke, Perham, MN; two brothers-in-law, Henry Jr. (Darlene) Wientjes, Rosemount, MN; and John (Janice) Wientjes, Perham, MN; five grandchildren, Amy, David John (Katie), Jennifer (Dave), Scott and Jeff (Liz); three step-grandchildren, Jay, Jeni and Mike; and ten great-grandchildren, Gavin, Abigail, Joseph, Nina, Quinn, Krista, Alex, Madeline, Olivia and Noah.
Carl is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary, March 3, 2006; parents; three sisters-in-law; and a brother-in-law.
Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, MN, is in charge of the arrangements. (218) 346-5175. Online tributes may be posted on www.schoenebergerfuneralhome.com.
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