Leonard "Lenny" Harold Johnson

LEONARD “LENNY” HAROLD JOHNSON...

was born on September 26, 1926 to Harold and Susie (Waasdorp) Johnson in Lake Benton Township of Lincoln County, Minnesota. He was the second oldest of seven children. He attended country school and completed his eighth grade education at Verdi Public School in Verdi, Minnesota. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1947, he continued farming with his father and brothers until his marriage to Vida Brockberg on May 16, 1954. Three daughters were born to this marriage. Lenny and Vida worked and lived on their farm for 60 years until his death on June 27, 2014. He lived to be 87 years, nine months, and one day.

Lenny was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, Minnesota. He was also active in the Verdi Community Club. He loved working on his farm, whether planting in the spring, mowing grass in the summer, or harvesting in the fall. He never wanted to leave the farm for long, so he took very few vacations away from the farm. He enjoyed bowling and clowning around. He was quick with jokes, loved wearing wigs or driving around with a snowman in the back of his “Lenny” pickup. He came up with crazy nicknames for all his grandkids and great-grandkids. He liked to give $2 bills to the grandchildren for simple errands or as birthday gifts. Lenny always said his 1931 Model A would go to his son… many have asked to be adopted. He was truly a gentle man, he never got angry. He was always there for advice, and he taught us to always do the right thing. His compassion, love and laughter will endure.

Lenny is lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Vida; his three daughters, Debbie Kinner of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Diane (Steven) Knight of Yankton, South Dakota, and Nancy Johnson and her fianc Rick Gerber of St. Peter, Minnesota; two brothers, Floyd Johnson of Verdi, Minnesota, and Eldie Johnson of Verdi, Minnesota; one sister, Marian Carstens of Pipestone, Minnesota; one sister-in-law, Alma Johnson of Pipestone, Minnesota; six grandchildren: Chris Kinner, Nicki Holmen, Nathan Kinner, Kelsey Kinner, Ryan Knight, and Erin Knight; and five great-grandchildren, Marie, James, Adam, and Noah Kinner, and Ethan Holmen.

Lenny was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Susie Johnson; his brothers: Ivan (Florine) Johnson, and Donald Johnson; his sister, Betty (George) Manderscheid; his sisters-in-law: June and Dorothy Johnson; his brother-in-law, Albert Carstens; his son-in-law Keith Kinner; and his nephews: Randy Manderscheid and Douglas Johnson.