Robert "Bob" Fred Johnson, Sr.

Robert “Bob” Fred Johnson, Sr., age 86, entered the gates of heaven on June 12th, 2023, from the Crystal Brook Senior Living Center in Park Rapids, MN with his family at his side.  Bob was born on Friday, October 16th, 1936, to Edythe (VanVickle) and George Johnson, Sr.

On July 3, 1956, while working at Hank Heathmans Service Company as a mechanic in Walker Bob met the love of his life, Darlene, when he did a brake job on her car.  As Mom/Dar tells us “He was working as a grease monkey.  He was the cutest guy I had ever seen, and the rest is history!!!” (She has carried the receipt from the work he did in her wallet ever since).  They were married on December 30, 1957, in Grand Rapids MN.

Bob joined the Navy on November 27, 1957.  While serving his country he did three tours in Vietnam.

Bob and Dar welcomed the birth of their daughter, Deb, on September 16th, 1959, and their son, Robert, on September 26th, 1961.

Bob retired out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on August 4, 1981, after 21 years of active service where he lived a life full of opportunities to see the world and have many stories to share with his family.  While stationed in Cuba he loved diving and snorkeling with his son.  After his retirement from the Navy, he worked for 10 years as a Mill Wright.

Bob was a member of the Walker American Legion Post 134, a lifetime member of the VFW Post 2701, and a Free Mason.

Bob loved dancing with his wife.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, owning and riding horses, camping with family, riding his 4-wheeler through his back woods and taking things apart to see how they worked.  There wasn’t a baby or a dog he didn’t love or didn’t love him.

But the most important thing to him was his love for his wife, his children, and grandchildren.  He was so proud of all of them.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are the love of his life, his wife, Darlene; daughter Debra (David) Zubke, son Robert (Lynn) Johnson; his five grandchildren; Shanna Zubke, Amy Zubke, Wade Zubke, Ashley Johnson and Amy Stilwell; 11 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren with one on the way.  Brothers:  Larry, Richard, and Ronald Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Harold and Ersie Frey; brothers: George Jr, Donald, Billy, Lyndon, and Clifford Johnson; a sister, Roxanne Erickson, and infant brother Eugene Leroy.

A memorial service for Bob will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 17th, 2023, at the Kabekona Community Church in Laporte, MN, with the first of two visitations being on Friday, June 16th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Northern Peace Funeral Home in Walker, MN and the second, one hour prior to services at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church.  Pastor Jason Schafbuch will officiate.  The urnbearers will be his grandsons Wade Zubke, Hunter Johnson, and Kasey Klasen.  His honorary urnbearers are his grandson Kody Stone and his nephews Donald Johnson, Tim Johnson, Curt Johnson, Jay Erickson, Bill Erickson, Jeff Johnson, Kevin Johnson, and Ronnie Johnson.  Military honors will be accorded by the Spencer Ross American Legion Post 134 Honor Guard of Walker, MN.  Inurnment will be in the Lakeport Cemetery in Laporte, MN at a later date.

Bob’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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