Larry Johnson

Larry John Johnson, 87, of Rochester MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on July 24, 2024 at his home of natural causes.

Larry was born on March 19, 1937, to Oscar and Norma (Lienau) in Sioux Falls, SD where Oscar worked for Oliver Tractor Company. Upon Oscar's death in 1942, Norma, Larry and Larry's brother, Lowell, moved to Dodge Center, MN and later relocated to a farm in Wasioja after Norma remarried. There, Larry developed a lifelong affinity for farming and machinery. During his years in Dodge Center, he also learned to fish from his grandfather. Throughout his life, Larry greatly enjoyed fishing with family and friends, which resulted in several trophy catches and lasting memories, including numerous camping trips to a remote island in Canada and a number of trips to Alaska.

Larry was an all-conference basketball player at Dodge Center High School, was active in plays, and was President of the Student Council. He graduated as salutatorian in 1955. After high school, Larry spent three years working on the farm and continuing his education at Rochester Junior College before moving to Minneapolis and enrolling at the University of Minnesota.

Larry first met his future wife, Janet, while he was a student at Rochester Junior College and picking up his mother from her work teaching in Kasson. They later began dating, eventually marrying in 1962 after Larry graduated from the University of Minnesota with Bachelor of Science degrees with honors in both physical metallurgy and business administration.

Larry joined IBM that same year and held a variety of technical and management positions in quality, manufacturing, engineering, procurement and distribution, including Plant Manager of Storage Products in Rochester, MN; Plant Manager Card Assembly and Test Facility in Charlotte, NC; and Program Director OEM Marketing Programs in San Jose, CA. Larry retired from IBM in 1992.

In addition to his work at IBM, Larry and Janet bought a farm north of Rochester soon after getting married, which allowed Larry to resume his love for farming as well as raising various livestock in his "spare" time. Living in the country added a few complications - when winter storms made the roads in front of the farm impassable, Larry would drive a snowmobile to Highway 52 where a colleague could pick him up and take him to IBM - but it was a great place for Larry and Janet to raise their family.

Family and friends were first and foremost to Larry. Instead of retiring to the year-round warm weather they had enjoyed in Charlotte or California, Larry and Janet returned to Rochester to be closer to family and friends. This resulted in him working part-time for two years for his brother, Lowell, at Johnson Construction Equipment Company. He then returned to full-time employment in 1996 as Vice President of Operations for Mas-Hamilton Group, a high technology lock company in Lexington, KY, and then for four years with PEMSTAR, a contract manufacturing company in Rochester, MN before finally retiring from full-time employment.

Larry and Janet - along with other local families - shared a vision of providing a safe "children first" environment, where kids with developmental disabilities would receive quality loving care. They were active in the founding of Hiawatha Children's Home, in 1976. For their work as two of the key founders of Hiawatha Homes and their long-term advocacy for the developmentally disabled, Larry and Janet received the Rochester Mayor's Medal of Honor in 2009.

Larry was an active member of the local community in a number of other areas as well, including preparing tax returns as a volunteer for AARP and serving on several non-profit Boards as well as a township clerk for Cascade Township and as Treasurer for the Pleasant Prairie Cemetery Association.

Larry also greatly enjoyed traveling the world with his wife Janet. Some of their favorite trips were to Machu Picchu, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and an unforgettable African Safari. They made many trips to Alaska including a cruise in 2017 with their children and grandchildren, a trip still cherished by all. Larry also enjoyed fishing and spending time with family at his and Janet's cabin in Aitkin, MN.

Larry's family is extremely appreciative of the excellent medical care Larry received from Dr. Andrew Greenlund and the Mayo Clinic hospice staff.

Larry is survived by his wife Janet; sons Eric (Lisa) and Thad (Suzy); grandchildren Julia (Ben) Gustafson, Allison, Danielle, Mark and Seth; great grandchildren Adelin Gustafson and Brooks Gustafson; and sister-in-law Lois Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his sons Kurt and Stephen; parents Oscar and Norma Johnson Linder; and brother Lowell.

A memorial service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church (400 5th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN) on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. and a reception following. Burial will follow later that day at Pleasant Prairie Cemetery (7015 Prairie Vista Dr. NW).

The family prefers memorials go to Hiawatha Homes Foundation, PossAbilities, The Arc Minnesota (Southeast Region) or Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester, MN.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Johnson family; To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com