Arland C. Johnson

Obituary

Arland Carlton Johnson was born on July 4, 1933, in Belmond, Iowa, the son of Carlton and Adina (Hefte) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Belmond, Iowa. Arland grew up in Kanawha, Iowa, and received his first years of education in country school. He graduated from Kanawha High School in 1952. It was during his high school years he met the girl he would later marry.

On September 5, 1953, Arland was united in marriage to Avis Larson at the First Congregational Church in New Richland, Minnesota. Four children were born to their union; Kim, Kae, Kirk, and Kwen. They first made their home in Forest City, Iowa, where Arland worked for an implement dealer. After four years, they returned to Kanawha, and Arland was engaged in farming. In 1961, he purchased a farm north of Hector, Minnesota, and the family moved there in 1962. In 1969, Arland began working for the local telephone company, Minnesota Central Telephone Company, which was later changed to CONTEL and then GTE when he retired in November of 1992. During his years with the telephone company he worked in many communities in the surrounding area, including Raymond, Prinsburg, Svea, Blomkest and Lake Lillian.

From 1991 to 1995, Arland served as the mayor of Hector. He had also served on the Hector City Council. For many years, Arland was a member of the Hector Ambulance crew and the Hector Auxiliary Police. He was among the first Hector residents to become certified to help with the Hughes Ambulance Service. Arland was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Hector, where he served on the Council, and as chairman of the administrative board. He sang in the church choir for 30 years, and also shared his gift of music by singing with the community choir and at weddings and funerals. He was privileged to sing at his children’s weddings.

Arland and Avis enjoyed the times they spent traveling. They did a great deal of camping around the United States, spending time in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. They spent ten winters in the southern states where they made many friends. They were also fortunate to travel to Norway, Ireland and several other foreign countries. Arland’s hobbies included camping, music, traveling, and helping the family with their projects. Arland’s greatest love was his family.

Arland is survived by his:
Wife,                Avis Johnson of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Son,                 Kim Johnson of Olivia, MN,
Daughter,         Kae (Kevin) Pumarlo of Shakopee, MN,
Son,                 Kirk (Barbara) Johnson of Maple Grove, MN, and
Son,                 Kwen (Pamela) Johnson of Shakopee, MN;
Grandchildren, Emily Johnson, Erik Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Nathan Johnson;
Sister-In-Law, Janice Johnson of Kanawha, IA;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arland was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, (two in infancy), five sisters, two sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, and several nephews.