Arild Johansen

Arild Utoft Johansen was born September 11, 1930 to Christian and Johanna (Utoft) Johansen on the farm south of Tyler, Minnesota where he grew up. He was an active member of Danebod Lutheran Church where he was both baptized and confirmed. He graduated from Tyler Public High School where he still holds the record for the fastest mile. In 1949, he attended Grandview College and then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in agriculture. While at the University of Minnesota he met LaVerne “Lu” Nelson who was a student in Home Economics. Arild and Lu were united in marriage on October 4, 1952 at Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis. Their union was blessed with seven children and 55 years of marriage together. Shortly after marriage, Arild was drafted and stationed in Germany while Lu remained in Minneapolis. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Arild and Lu moved to New Richland, Minnesota where Arild taught for a year before returning to Tyler to farm the Johansen home place. In addition to farming Arild was elected and served on the Tyler School Board, the Township Board, Danebod Lutheran Church Council and the Lincoln County Pork Producer’s Board.

In 1991, Arild and Lu moved into the town of Tyler but continued to be involved with the farm operation during the summers. They wintered at their home near South Padre Island, Texas where they enjoyed meeting many new friends as well as visits from their friends and family from Minnesota. On April 5, 2008, Arild lost his beloved wife and Arild went to stay with his son, Kurt, in Plymouth, Minnesota. In the spring of 2010 Arild found he missed his hometown and moved back to live at the Sunrise Manor in Tyler where he passed peacefully on January 6, 2013 surrounded by his family. He lived 82 years, 3 months, and 25 days.

Arild was a life-long member of Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Throughout his life Arild also enjoyed traveling, camping with his family, hunting, fishing, playing cards and pool, and water sports as well as teaching his grandchildren to fish. In addition, Arild was a passionate sports fan, following both the Vikings and the Twins. He especially enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

Arild will be dearly missed by his children, LuAnn (Randy) Svendsen of Plymouth, Minnesota, Jim (Laurie) Johansen of Tyler, Nancy (Jorn-Erik) Madsen of Oswego, Illinois, Bob (Lillian) Johansen of Cumberland, Virginia, Karla (Kevin) Moseley of Roseville, Minnesota, and Kurt (Sarah) Johansen of Plymouth, Minnesota; 19 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Edith (Norman) Brakken of Montevideo, Minnesota, Esther (the late Howard) Paulsen of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Milda (George) Ruud of Bloomington, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, LaVerne “Lu”, their son, Thomas, and his parents, Christian and Johanna Johansen.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home or Danebod Lutheran Church.