Lavern C. Johnson

A memorial gathering hosted by Red's family will be held on July 22, 2024 at 4 pm, at his home by the Stoe Bridge.

Lavern C. Johnson of Roseau, MN passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the age of 84.  Lavern (Red) Johnson was born August 4, 1939 to Clarence and Margaret (Bolme) Johnson.

Red went to school in Ross through the sixth grade and he went to high school in Roseau.After high school he went into the US Army for two and a half years.  Then he went to live in Minneapolis and lived there for ten years.  Red met Jean Franke and they fell in love and were married.  From that union came Debra, Kaila and Melanie.  Red and Jean purchased farm land from his parents and they made their home there.  Red farmed for 12 years. Jean was killed in a car accident in 1982.  Clarence and Margaret were a big help for Red and family at that time. 

Red met Trisha who was visiting Roseau with her mom.  They lived in Medford, OR but were originally from Roseau.  Red and Trisha fell in love and were married and enjoyed 40 years of friendship.  Melanie was killed in a car accident along with her grandmother Helen.

Red continued to farm in the summer, and winter in Medford.  Red gave up farming and lived in Oregon until the girls were out of school.  That is where he taught himself to be a very good carpenter and builder. He loved to fish and trap and was very good at it all.  When he was 9 yrs old he caught one of the biggest Northerns to come out of the Roseau River and won a prize for it.  Red was a hard worker with a very sound work ethic.  Family always came first, whether children or grandchildren.  The most important things in life were Jesus, family and country.  “He will be missed until we meet again”.

Red is survived by his wife Trisha, daughter Debra and husband Paul, daughter Kaila and husband Jeremy, son Anthony and wife Masa, daughter Rhonda Lee Ryckman and son Thomas Earl Ryckman III.  Eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one more due this month!

Red was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Margaret, wife Jean, daughter Melanie, cousin Harvey Johnson, brother-in-law John and mother-in-law Helen. 

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