Larry D. Johnson

April 2, 1960 to February 14, 2015

Larry D. Johnson died at home February 14, 2015 at the age of 54 years old after a valiant battle with colon and liver cancer.

Larry was born April 2, 1960 in Frederic Hospital to Roald and Elaine Johnson. He attended school at Milltown through 8 ^th grade and then Unity High School graduating in 1978. During high school he was a very active member of Future Farmers of America. He enjoyed playing FFA basketball in high school which often ended up being more of a rough version of “streetball”. He also attended cattle judging contests and at one judging event he won a sheepskin, belt buckle, and calculator for his cattle judging skills.

Throughout childhood and adulthood, Larry worked on the family farm.  His skills, knowledge, and work ethic made Larry a farmworker in high demand. He worked for several neighboring farmers doing relief milking, haying and other farm related work. Some area farmers he assisted included Grandpa Reynold, Iver Jorgenson, Curt Lunde, Paul Olson, Stanley Berg, and Craig Cox.

Shortly after graduation, Larry spent about two years working at Durex Products in Luck, Wisconsin, as well as helping on the family farm and his grandfather’s farm. When the local factory laid workers off, farming became his primary occupation.

A farmer at heart, Larry spent much of his life working the land, growing crops, harvesting crops, and milking Holstein dairy cattle. He continued helping Roald and Reynold with their farm operations as well. After Grandpa Reynold retired from milking cows in November 1982, Larry rented his barn and moved milk cattle there.

Larry officially relinquished his bachelor status at age 31 when he was united in marriage to Debbie Hutton from Osceola, Wisconsin. Proving that no obstacle could stand in the way of their love, they were married on November 2nd, 1991 during the epic “Halloween Blizzard of the Century”.  The brutal winter storm dumped record amounts of snow including high winds that drifted roads shut, disabled travel, and challenged snow plows. Getting to the church on time was indeed a challenge on the wedding day. After a honeymoon in Florida the couple returned to wintery Wisconsin to build their lives together as a farming family.

A daughter, April was born in August of 1993, followed by daughter Tiffany in May of 1995 who died in infancy.  Daughter Beth was the final addition to the family in May of 1997 making the family complete. Larry’s daughters and wife worked side by side with Larry in the operation of the family farm.

Larry enjoyed playing softball and volleyball. He pitched many games in the Falun Church League, Luck Co-ed league, Milltown league and many various tournaments in Centuria, Cushing, Manitou, and other local towns. He played numerous volleyball games with the relatives. He earned the name “Old Justice” from Derek when playing volleyball because of Larry’s frequent comment “justice prevails” when a point was won or lost.

Besides playing sports, Larry enjoyed watching football, baseball and basketball games. An avid Packer fan, he enjoyed attending a couple Green Bay Packer football games. He also enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Brewers and as a family they attended games, especially when staying at the cabin near West Bend, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks and Wisconsin Badgers were other favorite teams.

Fishing and deer hunting were favorite hobbies providing temporary respite from the drudgery that sometimes goes hand-in-hand with farming. Larry spent many hours fishing with various people. Steve and Derek frequently joined Larry for fishing outings as did Roald, Reynold, Wayne, Sharon, Debbie, April, Beth, Trent, Roger, Arlyn, and Cheri, among others throughout the years. Larry also went on a couple fishing excursions to Canada, one in earlier years with Steve, James, and Jeff. In later years, he went with Trent on a fishing excursion and two moose hunting excursions to Canada. He also enjoyed attending fishing and hunting shows with Trent. Larry fondly termed his outings with Trent “fuzzy moments”. He went deer hunting each November and shot his last doe in November 2014.

The Polk County Fair was a big annual event for the family as April and Beth showed cattle in 4H. Many hours were spent as a family to get the animals “show-ready”.

Family trips and outings provided welcome breaks from farming. The family took an annual trip to West Bend to spend time at Roger & Connie’s cabins on the lake. A Montana trip to attend a wedding was enjoyed by Larry, Debbie and Beth, with some sightseeing stops along the way. More recent trips included a trip along the North Shore up to Grand Portage, and a trip to Copper Harbor.

Throughout the years, Larry faithfully attended worship services at local churches including Luck Assembly of God Church, Alliance Church of the Valley, and Eureka Baptist Church. But more importantly, Larry dedicated his heart to the Lord, cultivating a steadfast faith in God that successfully carried him through the toughest times of life. In fact, he not only farmed the land, but carefully cultivated the garden of his heart.

Larry leaves behind a rich legacy of memories and an example to live by. Larry was a blend of tough and tender. He could be easy going one moment, and riled up the next. With his family at times he would not compromise—his way was the only way. His kindness, smiling face, and sense of humor will always be remembered. He brought a wealth of friendship and caring, enriching the lives of others.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Elaine and daughter Tiffany, whom he is now reunited with in heaven.  He will be deeply missed by wife, Debbie; daughters, April and Beth; Father, Roald Johnson; sister, Sharon Jorgenson and her husband Steve; brother Wayne Johnson and his wife Kristi; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Steven and Bonita Hutton; Sisters-in-law, Valerie Vollendorf and her husband Dave, Marie Hutton, Brothers-in-law, Jason Hutton and wife Libby, Nathan Hutton and wife Janelle, and Aaron Hutton. Nephews and nieces, Thomas Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Derek Jorgenson, Shauna Jorgenson, and Kayla Johnson all had a close relationship with Larry, as well as those that worked directly with Larry on the farm.  They will greatly miss him, as will a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and fellow farmers.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, February 20 ^th from 4 to 7 PM at Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria, WI, followed by a Saturday, February 21 ^st funeral service at 11:00 AM at Trade River Evangelical Free Church, 20296 State Road 87, Grantsburg, WI with Pastor Darryl Olson officiating. Vocalists Darryl and Kathy Olson and Bob and Lee Olson will provide special music with Cheryl Peper providing organ or piano music.

Pallbearers are Wayne Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Steve Jorgenson, Trent Linden and Brad Olson, with Derek Jorgenson as honorary pallbearer.

Larry will be laid to rest at the North Valley Cemetery in the spring of 2015.

Kolstad Funeral Home in Centuria assisted the family with arrangements.