James "Jim" Johnson

James Lowell Johnson was born to Clifford and Hannah (Sabie) Johnson on May 14, 1932 in Eden Township of Pipestone County, MN where he was raised. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Ihlen, MN. He attended Pipestone High School, graduating in 1950. In April, 1951, he entered the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in April, 1954. On November 27, 1955, he was united in marriage to Donna Lou Bostic. Following their marriage, they farmed on his mother’s family farm near Ihlen. In 1992, Jim semi-retired from farming. Donna preceded him in death in 1993. On March 25, 1995, Jim married Maxine Hellie. On March 6, 2025, he became a resident of Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN where he passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the age of 93 years.

Jim was a member of the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church. Throughout the years, he served on different boards in the church and in the community. Following in his dad’s footsteps, he served as sexton at the Ihlen Cemetery for at least forty years. Then, his son, Curt took over when he could no longer do it. Jim was also a member of the Ihlen-Eden Senior Citizens. During his lifetime, he enjoyed farming, working with the farm animals, doing other duties around the farm and building different things. Jim and Maxine also enjoyed taking bus trips, especially “mystery trips”. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were an important part of his life.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Maxine Johnson of Ihlen, MN; his daughter, Christine (Tim) Erickson of Pelican Rapids, MN and Tim’s daughter, Emily Haugrud; his three sons, Lane (Jill) Johnson of Santa Rosa, CA and their sons, Collin (Lindsay), Taylor (Emma) and Nathan (Lexi), Lindsay (Tamara) Johnson of Pipestone, MN and their children, Laura (Pete Devick) Aaberg, Chase (Alana), Lance, and Christopher (Bianca Claussen), Curtis (Diane) Johnson of Jasper, MN and their sons, Clayton (Amy), Carlton (Taylor), and Donavon (Brianna); his stepson, Mike (Lynn) Hellie of Pipestone and Mike’s children, Amanda and Aaron; fourteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty (Marlin) Smith of Raymore, MO; four sisters-in-law, Florence Johnson of Rochester, MN, Betty Lubke and Marjie Oye, both of Pipestone, Sally Buhner of Edgerton, MN; and special friends, Jim Vatne (Carolyn DeJongh) of Ihlen, and Ralph and Geraldine Halbur of Pipestone. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; his parents; an infant sister; two brothers, Richard and David Johnson and four brothers-in-law, Bob Lubke, Brian Buhner, James Bostic and Lyle Oye.