Blake Johnson

Blake Johnson, 56, died Sunday, January 28, 2024, at his home in Naples, Florida.

Blake Edwin Johnson was born December 29, 1967, to J. Peter Johnson and J. Carol (Vikesland) Johnson in San Diego, California. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1986 and obtained his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Moorhead State University.

On December 12, 1992, Blake married Janelle (Jan) Hitchcock in Fergus Falls, MN. They raised their family in their hometown of Fergus Falls before achieving a lifelong dream of "living at the lake" in their empty nest years. The lake was Blake's happy place, and he taught his grandchildren to love Silver Lake as much as he did. On the lake in his boat is how many family members and friends will remember him best.

In Fall 2021, Blake was diagnosed with ALS. To give him the best chance possible, Blake and Jan left Minnesota for the winter and eventually sold their Silver Lake home and moved to Naples, Florida where there was ample sunshine, and Blake could be outside and active year-round. He fought courageously and never gave up hope that he could beat the disease. As ALS stole every physical capability from him, Blake found happiness in visits from family and friends, in following his favorite sports teams, and in cruising the neighborhood in his motorized wheelchair.

Many people, friends, and family, stayed with Blake and Jan, traveled with them, or helped in innumerable ways throughout this journey. He was especially thankful to his children for their many trips to spend time with him and help him, and to his brother, Brent, for putting his life on pause to move to Florida and help care for Blake the last two months of his life. His family will never be able to adequately thank or repay you all for the love and support you showed!

Blake spent over a decade as a probation officer in Otter Tail County and left in 2006 to pursue his passion for health and fitness. He helped many people on their health journeys, including his family who will carry this knowledge and try to honor his legacy by living their best, healthiest lives. He was working in loss prevention at Fleet Farm at the time of his diagnosis.

Blake was preceded in death by his son, Brendan Peter Johnson, his mother, his brother, Perry Johnson, his nephew, Derek Pettersson, his grandparents, and his father-in-law, Dick Hitchcock.

He is survived by his wife, Janelle; his children, Kendra (Joey) Olsen of Eagan, MN, Andrew Ebeling of Fargo, ND, and Reece Johnson of Duluth, MN; grandchildren, Sofia, Brendan, and Devin Blake Olsen; his father, Pete Johnson (Jan Sanders); siblings, Shawn Johnson, Holly Johnson, and Brent (Sonja) Johnson; his mother-in-law, Joyce Hitchcock; sisters-in-law, Teri (Greg) Krutsinger and Andrea Hitchcock, and brother-in-law, Paul Hitchcock, along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls, with prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one-hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial Service: 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2024 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Clergy: Reverend Paul Hadland

Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com