Roger Elton Johnson, 99, of Houston, Minnesota, died Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse.
Roger was born to Oscar and Olga (Hostvet) Johnson on August 25, 1927. He attended Oak Ridge and Houston Schools. Roger served one year in the Navy Seebees stationed in the Philippines. In 1950, he re-enlisted in the Air Force and served in Japan during the Korean Conflict and discharged as a staff sergeant in 1954. Roger then became a partner in Don and Roger’s Standard Service Station in Hokah.
Roger and Shirley Todd met in 1954 and were married in the Houston Baptist Church on May 26, 1956, and they recently celebrated their 70th anniversary.
He sold his share in the service station and worked at Pengra’s in La Crosse as a diesel mechanic. Roger started a mobile repair service and then farmed for many years. Roger and Shirley owned and operated Johnson’s Antiques for over 50 years.
Roger enjoyed music and playing guitar. He and his brother Lynden played music for local functions and supper clubs.
Both Roger and Shirley were interested in history and were active in the Houston County Historical Society and Fellows at Vesterheim in Decorah.
Roger is survived by his wife Shirley, nieces and nephews Mary Dahle, Ilamae Beach, Lennis (Randi) Johnson, James (Julie) George, Elizabeth (Steve Sanden) George, and Anne George; great-nephew Benjamin (Angela) George, great-niece Lynette (Matt) Gray, as well as many others. He is also survived by Shirley’s family: Mary (Peter) Kopp, Patricia (Larry) Ziemer, Nancy Vitse, Robert (Pam) Todd, Daniel (DeEtte) Todd and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lynden (Erma) Johnson, sister Doris (Donald) George, his father- and mother-in-law Sidney and Emma Todd, brother-in-law Howard (Donna) Todd, sister-in-law Mavis (Irving) Vitse, and nephews-in-law Alan Vitse, Donald Beach and Larry Dahle.
Blessed be his memory!
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2026, at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service – Houston. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of the service. He will be laid to rest at Money Creek Cemetery with Military Honors. Lunch will follow at the Money Creek Town Hall. Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice.
Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service – Houston is assisting the family with arrangements. www.hofffuneral.com
Leave a Reply