Theodore Johnson

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Friday, December 16, 2011 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids, MN with Father Thomas Friedl officiating.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 15, 2011, with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Knights of Columbus praying the Rosary, and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.INTERMENT : St. Peters Catholic Cemetery of Park RapidsSURVIVORS : His wife, Laura of Park Rapids; his five children: Loretta (Don) Nilson of Park Rapids, Noel (Vicki) Johnson of Park Rapids, Greg (Anita) Johnson of West Lafayette, IN, Jean (John) Ferguson of Detroit Lakes and Mike (Julie) Johnson of Park Rapids; 17 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; five siblings: Glen (Ilene) Johnson, Luella (Norman) Strandberg, Karen (James) Johnson, Larry (Judy) Johnson and Connie Johnson Ellseth. THEODORE "Ted" JOHNSONDecember 19, 1929 " December 11, 2011 Ted Johnson, age 81 of Park Rapids, MN, entered eternity on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids surrounded by his loved ones. Ted was born on December 19, 1929 in International Falls, MN to Theodore and Clara (LaBlanc) Johnson. He graduated high school with the class of 1949 from the School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN. After graduation, he went on to attend the School for Telegraphy. He then gained employment working with the B & B Crew with the Great Northern Railroad Company for two years until joining the Armed Forces. In February of 1952, Ted enlisted in the United States Army where he bravely served his country in the Korean War as a Sergeant in the Heavy Artillery Corps. He was honorably discharged in November of 1953. On October 19, 1953, Ted was united in marriage to Laura Dostal in Greenbush, MN. This union was blessed with six children: Loretta, Doug, Noel, Greg, Jean and Mike. Ted furthered his education by attending the University of Minnesota from 1955 " 1956. In 1956, Ted began a 35 year career working for the MN DNR, first as a Forest Guard at the Norris Camp where he worked for two years and then went on to work at Warroad, MN, as an assistant Forest Ranger, for 11 years, Park Rapids for 19 years and then rounded out his working years in Detroit Lakes until his retirement in 1988. He was a long time member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids where he was very active in his earlier years. He was a Cursilla Team member, a lector, an usher, communion distributor for masses and also to the home bound. Ted was also active as a CCD teacher for confirmation for a number of years and was active in the Knights of Columbus. He had also served as the coordinator for the diocesan "Renew" program. Ted was also active in the greater community. He taught certified youth gun training in Osage for a number of years and he delivered meals on wheels for a time. He loved the outdoors especially when he could be out fishing, hunting or playing a round of golf. He was very competitive at a good game of cards and will always be remembered for his good sense of humor. Above all, Ted devoted his entire life to his wife, children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart. Ted will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Laura of Park Rapids; his five children: Loretta (Don) Nilson of Park Rapids, Noel (Vicki) Johnson of Park Rapids, Greg (Anita) Johnson of West Lafayette, IN, Jean (John) Ferguson of Detroit Lakes and Mike (Julie) Johnson of Park Rapids; 17 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; five siblings: Glen (Ilene) Johnson, Luella (Norman) Strandberg, Karen (James) Johnson, Larry (Judy) Johnson and Connie Johnson Ellseth; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Doug; his parents and 2 sisters: Odella Strandberg and Josie Hanson. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, December 16, 2011 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids with Father Thomas Friedl officiating. Joy Horejsi will be the pianist. The music will be led by the Alleluia Choir. The active casket bearers will be his grandsons: Matt Ferguson, Daryn Nilson, Joshua Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Bryce Nilson and Timothy Johnson. The honorary casket bearers will be friends: Duane Austin, Thomas Hughes, Kenneth Cole, Ray Wolf, Ken Mrnak, Al Wheeler and Curt Gwynn. Military honors will be conducted by the Star of the North Marine Corps League. Interment will be made at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery of Park Rapids. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday, December 15 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with a prayer service at 7 PM with the rosary following. There will also be a visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.