Service Information
James “Jim” A. Johnson, age 79 of Hector, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at River Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Redwood Falls, Minnesota.
Funeral service will be held Monday, February 7, 2022, at 11:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Hector, Minnesota with interment in the Hector City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022, from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, for one hour prior to the service, ALL AT CHURCH.
Obituary
James Ansly Johnson was born on February 23, 1942 in Hector, Minnesota. He was the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Dusel) Johnson. Jim was baptized at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hector, and was confirmed in his faith there on May 20, 1956. He received his education in Hector, and was a graduate with the Hector High School class of 1960.
On September 24, 1960 Jim was united in marriage to Verna Roepke at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hector. This marriage was blessed with two children, Trudy and Tracy. They made their home in Hector, and they shared 61 years of marriage.
Jim was hired as an employee of Our Own Hardware in Hector when he was a teenager. His career in their service department continued until his retirement when Our Own Hardware closed. Jim had become the handyman of Hector, and continued that role in his retirement. When anyone in the community needed help with a variety of household issues, Jim would get the call. He was an especially gifted mechanic with household appliances, and specialized in washers and dryers, plumbing and heating, and the installation of carpet and linoleum. If something was broken, Jim could fix it. His love of carpentry and woodworking started back in his High School Shop class, and he could build or fix almost anything. He was particularly proud of the kitchen set and rocking chair he built for his daughter, and the kitchen cupboards and bathroom vanity he built for his own home. Jim was also an avid gardener, and together he and Verna created a backyard of beautiful gardens. Each year they hosted a neighborhood picnic where everyone could enjoy their work. Jim also enjoyed biking and going for walks.
Jim was a faithful member of the Hector United Methodist Church. In 2002, he was named the Outstanding Citizen of Hector. As he served others, he especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends.
Jim passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the River Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Redwood Falls, having reached the age of 79 years. Blessed be his memory.
Jim is survived by his:
Wife, Verna Johnson of Hector, MN;
Daughter, Trudy Reidel and her husband Daryl of Winona, MN;
Grandchildren, Christopher Reidel and his wife, Aaren, Tiffany Kronebusch and her husband, Joe, Joshua Reidel, Isaiah Reidel and his significant other, Amanda Busser, Matthew Johnson, and Luke Johnson and his wife, Valerie;
Great-Grandchildren, Cora Reidel, Savanna Kronebusch, Kaden Busser;
Siblings-in-law, Doris Johnson, Eileen O’Toole, Virginia Maher, Shirley Patten and her husband, Dale, Caroline Adams and her husband, Bruce, Edwin Roepke, Jr. and his wife, Diane, Donald Roepke and his wife Kay, Steve Roepke and his wife, Joan, Cynthia Pine and her husband, Gene, Gene Roepke and his wife, Pat, Milan Dummer, Lois Roepke.
Many other relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his Parents, Edward and Elizabeth Johnson; Son, Tracy Lee Johnson; Brothers, Einer Johnson in infancy, Lloyd Johnson, William Johnson; Sister, Eleanor and Dave Morton; Parents-in-law, Edwin and Effie Roepke; Step-mother-in-law, Ruth Roepke, Siblings-in-law, Duayne and Glenda Roepke, John O’Toole, James Maher, Muriel Dummer, Marjorie and Robert Brandt, Darleen and Ivan Klubunde, Craig Roepke.
Dawn Gronner says
Trudy and family,
May the beautiful memories you have of your father bring you comfort and peace during this time.
John and Dawn Gronner
Gayle J Grimm says
My sympathies to the family. Jim was a wonderful person and will be missed.
Sandy says
May you Rest In Peace now Jim. You will be remembered for your kindness and love to many. God Bless.
Sandy says
Rest In Peace
Doras Jonson says
My sympathies to the family. Not only did I lose a wonderful brother-in-law, I feel like I lost a good friend. Thank you, Jim, for the memories we shared.
Doras Johnson (wife of William Johnson, brother to Jim)
Laurie Stevens says
Condolences, Trudy. Your dad was such a sweet spirit of a man. I have many good memories of summers seeing him at the farm when I was growing up.
Laurie Stevens (niece)
Lee & Karen Haun says
Jim will be missed by us very much! He was a great neighbor and friend. Always willing to give advice and pitch in when needed. He was a gentle man with alot of spirit. Rest in your labors
Sherri Stacks says
I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Jim. I always remember him being easy-going, funny and caring. I also remember him and my Dad sharing stories when they were together and having a good laugh. Prayers for Aunt Verna and Trudy and the rest of the family at this difficult time.
Sherri (Johnson) Stacks-daughter of William Johnson, Jim’s brother
Kathy Uecker says
My sympathy to all of you. May the good Lord hold you in His loving arms as you face the difficult days ahead. Jim was a very sweet man and will always be remembered.
Kathy Uecker says
My symapthy to all of you. May the good Lord hold you in His loving arms as you face the difficult days ahead. Jim was a very sweet man and will always be remembered.
Sherri Stacks says
I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Jim. He was always very easy-going and funny. I remember him and my Dad always telling stories and laughing when they were together. Prayers for Aunt Verna, Trudy and the rest of the family during this difficult time.
Sherri (Johnson) Stacks-daughter of William Johnson, Jim’s brother
Glady Udelhofen says
My family and I visited the Johnson farm in Hector often during our childhood. As first cousin to Jim and his siblings, memories of the good times on the farm are alive and abundant. Jim was always joyful as we frolicked in the grove, never missing an opportunity to swing in the big old tree swing; we ran through the hugh 3-level barn with hundreds of chickens on the top level; he laughed at us getting our ‘Sunday shoes’ full of manure in the cow and sow pens; together, enjoying the delicious dinners prepared by our aunts, Elizabeth and Bertha, i.e., the scalloped potatoes with ham, and most of all freshly baked bread with white butter Jim brought straight from the farm milk separator. My sister Abbi and I followed Jim outside to climb the windmill tower in our dresses! Oh yes! Jim and Bill and our brother Dennis, climbed with us to the top.
Jim was a quiet person during his youth, but just as full of life and pranks as his cousins. His quiet manner, conversation, laughter and many jokes revealed his warm, calm and caring attitude. Cousin Jim will always remain in my heart. Together, we cousins had the early years of our lives.
(Jim’s mother Elizabeth, and Bertha, were sisters to my mother, Anne.)