Arlen K. Johnson

Arlen K. Johnson, 79, a resident of Underwood, died Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at Vibra Hospital in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family.

He was born on March 19, 1936, the son of Arnold and Grace (Olson) Johnson, at his grandfather’s farm in Dent, MN. While he was growing up, his family lived in Fergus Falls, then before and during World War II, they lived wherever his dad could find work, ending up in Idaho. Arlen started working at age 6, as a live-in on a neighbor’s farm, and continued working until he retired in August of this year. Among other things, he sold seeds door to door, delivered newspapers and became a manager of other paperboys, set pins in a bowling alley, and delivered orders for a dry cleaner. At age 16, he dropped out of Fergus Falls High School to work full time for Alstad Brothers in Fergus Falls, learning the heating and air conditioning trade, and then how to install bulk milk coolers and pipelines. When the Alstads retired, Arlen drove trucks for Mark Sand & Gravel. In 1964, he went to work for Midland Cooperative, selling and servicing bulk milk coolers and pipelines in southern Wisconsin and southern Minnesota, and becoming a master plumber along the way. In 1978, when the company insisted that Arlen “must” move to the Twins Cities to become a manager, he quit, moved to Underwood and started Johnson Heating & Plumbing.

Arlen married Bev Leitch of Underwood on October 1, 1954, at Sverdrup Lutheran Church. They were married 61 years and lived in Fergus Falls, Underwood, Theresa, Wisconsin, Red Wing, and St. Cloud before returning to Underwood in 1978.

He is survived by his wife, Bev of Underwood; daughter, Christa (Randy) Peterson of Wadena, grandchildren, Caitlin (Chad) Sands and their daughter, Madeline, Brianne (Billy) LaBelle and their children, Amelia, Leonardo and Bennett, and Tegan Peterson; son, Kelly (Kim) Johnson of St. Cloud and grandsons, Wynn Johnson and Aaron (Raylene) Johnson; daughter, Melissa (Todd) De Groff of Indianapolis, IN, grandson, Wylie; daughter, Kala (Mike) Richards of Fergus Falls, grandchildren, Spencer (Lyndsey) Holtan and their son Henry, Zachary (Ally) Holtan and Ian Richards. Arlen also leaves his five younger siblings to remember him, Richard (Sonja) Johnson of Fergus Falls, Ron (Jean) Johnson of Mountain Iron, Edwin (Wanda) Johnson of Sun Lakes, AZ, Margaret Johnson of Lancaster, OH and Everett Johnson of St. Bonifacius; his brother and sister-in-law, Bruce (Verna) Leitch of Underwood; cousins, Jeanne Chartier and Lorraine Durante of Milwaukee, WI and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Arnold and Grace Johnson; his father and mother-in-law, Chester “Ted” and Esther Leitch and a daughter-in-law, Christine (DeLong) Johnson

Arlen loved hunting duck and deer, fishing and visiting with friends. His love of hunting and fishing developed early and he spent many happy hours doing both, using a Cushman motor scooter as transportation until he was old enough to drive a car. His determination was also evident early, when he was courting Bev, he walked from Fergus Falls to Underwood on the railroad tracks to have Thanksgiving with her family because his car was not working, and walked back after dinner.

Arlen’s bright red truck was often seen in and around Underwood, including at the high school, where he donated many hours to the construction projects over the years. He habitually gave away his fresh caught fish to people he knew were in need, checked on people he knew were sick, and generally kept an eye on his community. Arlen was previously a fixture at Gene & Gerts, and more recently at the Legion in Underwood, where everyone was familiar with his hearty laugh.

If you wish to honor Arlen’s life with a charitable contribution, please consider donating to the Salvation Army.

Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the funeral home
Memorial service: 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2015, at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Nancy Monke
Private family Interment will be at a later date
Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, is in charge of arrangements