Robert Bennett Johnson, Sr., 80, died on May 14, 2006, at St. Cloud Hospital.
He was born to Bennett and Evangeline Johnson on Aug. 13, 1925, in Bemidji, Minn. He graduated from Bemidji Senior High School and the University of Minnesota. He entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and was discharged in 1946. He was united in marriage to Vera Ann Mielke on Aug. 14, 1947, in Minneapolis. He worked for various newspapers before becoming the publisher of the Wadena Pioneer Journal where he worked until his retirement. The Johnsons have spent the past 32 years in Wadena.
He was a life member of the Elmer Goche Post 3922 VFW, a life member of the American Legion and a life member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. He also enjoyed playing golf, listening to music, photography, working with his computer, spending time with his family and grandchildren, playing bridge and taking frequent drives in the countryside in his van with license plates that read BYTE BJ.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena, with the Rev. Gary Rokenbrodt officiating. Pallbearers are his grandchildren: Zachary Ornelas, Erik Johnson, Neil Johnson, Michael Ornelas, Andrew Stoebig, Benjamin Stoebig, Bennett Johnson, Ty Johnson and Mikayla Johnson. Military honors will be provided by the Elmer Goche Post 3922 VFW of Wadena, with interment in the Wadena Cemetery. Johnson Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Robert, Jr. (Mary) of River Falls, Wis. and Kurt (Linda) of Seattle, Wash.; two daughters, Ann (Humberto) Ornelas of Denver, Colo., and Kristin (Thomas) Stoebig of Plymouth; nine grandchildren; brother Fred of Minneapolis and sister Sue Caquelin of Brainerd.
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He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Charles.
