Merle Johnson

Merle Johnson - Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend - passed away on November 6, 2021. Merle was born in Duluth, Minnesota in 1929. He was a four sport athlete at Duluth Central High School before he received his B.A. at UMD. After marrying Charlene Carlson in Duluth, he entered the Navy in 1951 and served his country for four years, stationed in Bayonne, New Jersey, and Jacksonville, Florida. After his hitch in the Navy, Merle and Char returned to Minnesota and started their family in Brooklyn Center. He began his work career with General Mills in Minneapolis and then moved on to Control Data. In 1967, Merle was transferred and moved the family to Gaithersburg, Maryland for three years of freedom from snow and cold before moving back to the Midwest to reside in Plymouth, Minnesota for more than 30 years.

Merle and Char loved to travel with their four boys and on their own in retirement. The family often made summer trips to Lake Kabekona and other locales, and Merle and Char loved to drive to the Ozarks to take in music festivals. They also flew outside the USA to Peru and Europe to visit their children. Merle was happiest when he was with his family. He was devoted to his wife, Char, and was always present in any and every way he could be with his children, and later his grandkids and great-grandkids. He attended their concerts, games and other events, and played catch and golf with them. Merle was kind, patient and loved a good joke. He showed no mercy when it came to playing Monopoly and other board and card games with his family, attaining victory in a fun way. Merle was deeply engaged in living out his trust in Jesus at the churches they attended, including Brookdale Covenant Church, where he served as treasurer and sang in a variety of music ensembles.

He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Charlene; sons, Kevin (Kristine), Brian, Gary (Kristan), Craig (Laurel), daughter-in-law, Susan; grandchildren, Kevin (Allie), Kristofer (Amy), Kenneth (Michelle), Kaari (Will) Haus, Kristian (Vivian Hett), Brittany, Molly, Abigail (Mitch) Fredrickson, Emma, Hayley, Betsy, Carl; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Bryant (Mischelle), Barbara (Pat) Sodergren. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Signe; and granddaughter, Olivia.

Memorial service will be 11:00am Saturday, November 20, 2021 at BROOKDALE COVENANT CHURCH, 5139 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center. Memorials preferred to Brookdale Covenant Inner City Ministry.