Arnold G. Johnson of Newport, Minnesota, passed away at his home April 1, 2018, at the age of 83.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 14, with visitation one hour prior to the service at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 7000 Hinton Ave S., Cottage Grove, Minnesota, 55055.
Arnold was born March 8, 1935, in Lake Preston, to Norman Johnson and Cordelia Soward Johnson. He was baptized at the Lutheran Church and was an active member of numerous Lutheran churches throughout his lifetime.
Arnold graduated from Brookings High School, having excelled in football, basketball, track and baseball.
He went on to graduate from South Dakota State University, Brookings, as a proud and accomplished Jackrabbit. He was inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Johannsen of Brookings, on June 3, 1954. The union resulted in four children: Becky (Allan) Sorenson of Dassel; Greg Johnson of Memphis, Tennessee; Brad (Bev) Johnson of Avon Lake, Ohio; and Jeff (Robin) Johnson of Port St. Lucie, Florida.
His career included stints as a South Dakota highway patrolman and a police officer before becoming an insurance adjuster and later an insurance salesman.
He continued his athletic pursuits after retirement, golfing in numerous tournaments, winning trophies, money and even a diamond ring for his sweetheart. As an accomplished bowler, he bowled a perfect 300 game.
Arnold is survived by his wife Janice of Newport, his children, 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Always the life of any party or family gathering, he was a generous friend of adults and children alike. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
