Raymond Alvin Johnson - Brookings

May 12, 1938 - Jan. 16, 2021

Posted

On Jan. 16, 2021, Raymond Alvin Johnson was called to heaven after an extended battle with dementia.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and so many other labels.  There are no services planned at this time.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting Raymond’s family with arrangements.
Ray was born May 12, 1938, to Raymond Johnson and Lois (Coos) Johnson.  He spent his formative years in the Grantsburg, Wisconsin, area where he graduated from high school in 1956.  He later served time in the Army.  
After basic training in California, Ray shipped out from New York City to Germany, where he spent time as a proud tank driver.  He later served with the Air Force at Lowry Air Force base in Colorado.
Post his military service, Ray attended classes at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for one year before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin.  After graduation, Ray started his educational career at Taylors Falls, Minnesota teaching woodworking.  
The family moved to New Prague, Minnesota, where Ray taught vocational arts.  He followed that with a time teaching at a junior college in Devils Lake, North Dakota.  This finally led to his most favorite position of teaching industrial arts at the South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, a town that would capture the family as a forever home.
After his time at SDSU, Ray traveled the country as an on-site representative for Shopko Enterprises supervising the construction and remodeling of Shopko and Kmart stores.  
He enjoyed his time traveling the West.  Until retirement, Ray was a wood worker, cabinet maker, and house builder in Brookings.
Ray enjoyed wood working beyond the occupation and the Johnson/Moberg households will be forever filled with his roll top desks, bread boxes, and countless other heavy oak creations.  He also was an avid hunter and always enjoyed fishing with his grandsons.  
He built an amazing cabin in Wisconsin that was the home of lasting memories to all of the family.
Ray loved the Lord his Savior and always enjoyed traditional hymns.  He was previously an active member of Gideons International, distributing Bibles to all.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ardis (Olson) Johnson; his daughter, Jodi (Doyle) Moberg, of White, SD; his son, Brent Johnson, of Denver, CO; grandsons: Jason, Justin, and Joshua Moberg; brothers and sisters: Lloyd (Eileen) Johnson, Blanche (Wendell) Anderson, Norman (Bonae) Johnson, and Nina (Douglas) Dewing; brothers-in-law: Charles (Patty) Anderson, Harvey Olson, and Larry Okeson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Judy Anderson; his in-laws, John and Elsie Olson; brother-in-law, Stan Olson; sister-in-law Marion Okeson; and his very special aunt, Nina Wicklund.