Donavon "Donnie" Johnson
January 14, 1935 — October 19, 2017
A memorial service for Donavon “Donnie” L. Johnson will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, October 26, 2017 at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea. The Reverend’s Roger Haug and Janet White will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 PM on Wednesday, and again one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Donnie died on Thursday, October 19, 2017 after a courageous battle with a cancerous brain tumor.
Donnie was born in Thompson, IA on January 14, 1935 to Selma and Gilman Johnson. He was baptized in Thompson and confirmed in Emmons at the Emmons Lutheran Church. He attended grade school in Joice, IA and graduated from Emmons High School in 1953.
On September 8, 1956, he was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” Swanson at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. They made their home in Albert Lea, Thompson, Emmons, Hayward, and then returned to Albert Lea in 1966. Donnie and Pat celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2016 and celebrated at Green Lea Golf Course, a place Donnie and Pat cherished. Donnie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Eagles and past member of the Moose, Archery Club, and Local 6 Union.
Donnie worked at Emmons Hatchery, Queens, Streaters, and then Wilson’s for 31 years, retiring in 1989. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his gun and also his bow. He started golfing when he was 65 years old and immediately loved the sport – even getting 3 holes in one along the way! He liked coffee time with his buddies, watching sports on TV, and riding motorcycle for many years, taking Pat on numerous trips with other motorcycle friends.
Donnie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat; daughter, Debbie (his little pumpie) and her husband Roger “Peanuts” Christensen; nephew, Mark Sorenson and his wife Diane and their family; nieces, Kris Hanson and her husband Kenny and family, Karen Gillespie and her special friend Doug Schulz and her family; along with many other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sally and Gil Johnson; his in-laws, Bob and Milly Schiager; his brother, LeRoy; sister, Geraldine and her husband Dwayne Sorenson; and many aunts and uncles.
The family would like to thank the hospice department at Mayo Clinic for their tremendous help. All the help was greatly appreciated.