Stanley Keith Johnson

He was born on a farm in Mamre Township, Minnesota on December 23, 1935, the second child of five to Clifford and Vera Johnson. He graduated from Willmar High School in 1953, then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1954. He served aboard the destroyer tender U.S.S. Frontier at the end of the Korean Conflict. His home port was Long Beach, CA with tour stops in Japan, Hong Kong, Formosa, The Philippines, and Australia. Petty Officer Second Class Stanley Johnson was honorably discharged in 1958.

After his service in the Navy, Stan married Diane V. Beckman on June 6, 1959. Stan pursued education in vocational agriculture, which led him to a career in managing the farm operations with the Federal Department of Corrections in El Paso, Texas and Lompoc, California. After retiring in 1987, Stan spent 15 summers working for Southern California Edison at their Shaver Lake private campground in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. In fall of 2021, he and Diane relocated near their daughter in St. Charles, MO.

Stan passed with a certainty of heaven. A precious godly man who was devoted to his family, he was patient, kind, creative, generous, a quiet man of few words, and left a strong legacy in his children. Although the final chapter of his life with advanced heart disease presented difficult challenges, nothing diminished his gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in his life.

He was a beautiful carpenter and a master gardener. Always putting others before himself, he devoted his time to his friends, family, and his beloved wife, Diane. All his children and grandchildren were blessed with his wooden carvings and “PaPa’s Craft Shop” creations. He loved music, especially The Gaither Gospel songs, and was always up for a game of cards with his family and friends. He and Diane were committed to their local church as members of Calvary Baptist Church for 53 years, where he was Scout Master for Troop 167 Cub and Boy Scouts, served as a deacon, and helped with many other tasks. Of all their travels, Stan enjoyed Sweden and Norway the most. He also enjoyed the companionship of the Tuesday morning breakfast group for many years. Above everything Stan enjoyed spending time with his family; he loved them, and was loved by them, very much.

Stanley is survived by his wife of 62 years, Diane (Beckman) Johnson their children; Jeff (Sheri) Johnson, Rick (Susie) Johnson, and Terri (Bryan) Lisech. Stanley is also survived by seven grandchildren; Keith (Makenna) Johnson, Seth (Bekah) Johnson, Brad (Gretchen) Johnson, Kirsten (Frank) Manda, Kris (Stacy) Johnson, Kathryn (Christopher) Goodrich, Brianna (Jacob) Chacko, and six great-grandchildren with three more due later this year. Also surviving Stan are two siblings, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be at the Salem Covenant Church, near Pennock, Minnesota, on April 21, 2022. For the family, it is fitting that he be buried at no other place. Stanley and Diane were married in this church, and the cemetery is the final resting place of their great grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sibling, and friends. What a reunion it will be when, one day, we fly together to our eternal heavenly home.