FRANK JOHNSON

A Celebration of Life for Frank Johnson who passed away on March 6, 2021  will be held on Friday, June 25^th, 2021 at Ruger Park.  Food and fellowship begin at 5:30 p.m.  Come and help us celebrate the love, laughter and life of our unforgettable Frankie.  Bring you memories, pictures and swap stories to celebrate all the things that made him so special.

Frank Johnson, age 79, of Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Frank (Frankie) Johnson was born on October 5, 1941, to Frank Sr. and Dolly Maisel Johnson in Devils Lake, North Dakota.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and loved his Lord and Savior.  He attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse at Grand Harbor.  After graduating from high school, Frank took over the family farm near Dry Lake.  Hanging out with friends at a 4-H Christmas Party, he met his lifelong sweetheart, Edie Jahnke.  The two were united in holy matrimony on June 20, 1964, and were the proud parents to two children, a son Curt and daughter Kim. 

In the summer of 1971, he suffered a life-threatening traumatic head injury from a farming accident. God granted the miracle of life and Frank woke up after months of being in a coma.  Relying on faith, family and friends, Frank began the long journey to recovery by learning to walk and talk all over again. 

After recovery, the Johnsons returned to the farm to raise their children and continue farming.  Frank later worked for the North Dakota Highway Department.  A few years after retirement, they moved to town and enjoyed the city life.

Frankie’s big heart, gentle nature, and spirited laughter will always be greatly missed by all the lives he touched.  He laughed the most while spending time with family, playing cards, cheering for the riders at rodeos, swapping stories at Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion, and reminiscing over classic cars at Devils Run.  In his later years, he enjoyed sitting in the sunshine and watching neighborhood activities.

He was active in his community by serving on the Township Board, active 4-H Club Leader, and a Sunday School Superintendent. He had several “bonding” experiences with his family in the garage with fine tuning motorbikes, snowmobiles, working on arts/crafts, woodworking, and any other projects tossed his way. 

After being admitted to the hospital, Frankie’s heart grew weary and he drifted off to his heavenly home on March 6, 2021.  Frank is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Edie Johnson, son Curt Johnson (Kristi) of Devils Lake, daughter Kim Paulson (Corey) of Barnesville, MN, sister Darlene Brown (Finksburg, MD), two nephews Dean Berg and Tom Berg, sister-in-law Betty Johnson (Devils Lake), sister-in-law Evy Wawers (Gary), Mesa, AZ, and granddog Harley.

Frankie passed during a difficult time for families, and he will be missed beyond description.  But already our thoughts of Frankie begin to run, not to the sadness of his loss, the chair that will be empty when we can gather again as a family, but run to the joy of our memories and his ever present smile that said, “I love you.”  Rest in Peace, Frankie; we’ll see you later.

A private family service will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held in the future to reflect upon the memories that Frank has left us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations be sent to the Sunshine Hospitality Home (affiliated with Altru Hospital), 933 Duke Drive, Grand Forks, ND 58201, or your favorite charity.