Thore “Everett” Johnson, 80, of Whalan, Minnesota, died on September 12, 2026, in Emplify Health (Gunderson Lutheran Hospital), La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Everett was born on December 4, 1945, along with his twin brother Ernie, to Thore and Lydia Johnson in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Twins were not expected and the second birth came as a complete surprise to their parents. A nurse came out and told his dad that he had a son so Everett’s dad left to tell the family. When he came back another nurse congratulated him and Everett’s dad replied he knew he had a son, only to be told, no, there are two! Thus began the lives of Everett and Ernie.
The twins were baptized in the Lanesboro Hospital with two nurses attending as their Godparents who later gave them yearly gifts until they turned 10. They were confirmed at the Whalan Lutheran Church on June 26, 1960, where Everett remained a lifelong member.
Everett and Ernie graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1964, where Everett started his love for sports which stayed with him his entire life. He was active with the high school football team, acting as the manager.
In 1965 Everett was drafted into the service where he served with the 4th U.S. Army Missile Command. He received training at Fort Holiberg, Maryland – an Army intelligence school. He was then stationed in Camp Page, Korea and served as an image interpreter earning him the rank of Specialist E5. It was noted on his papers that “Johnson was always reliable and has voluntarily worked many extra hours.” Volunteering became the legacy of Everett’s life. Everett was honorably discharged on August 19, 1967.
After the service Everett went to work in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he worked at National Presto Industries, Inc. for two years. He then took up employment at Trane Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he worked for the next 32 years as an environmental technician. Here he became a member of the hazardous material team until his retirement on December 29, 2005.
In retirement, sports became Everett’s middle name as he would attend as many sporting events as he could fit into his day. His favorites were fast-pitch softball, football, basketball and girls volleyball. If there was a game – you could find Everett there. No game, he’d be home watching one on TV, even if it was a rerun.
He helped every year with the men’s Whalan Fastpitch Tournament that ran over the Fourth of July. During the weeks before the tournament he was watering the field, spraying weeds, painting the bleachers (with paint getting all over him), mowing the grass, putting up the fence, worrying about how many teams were coming, ordering his tee shirts to sell, ordering chalk, softballs, and lining the fence with American flags. How many tee shirts do we all have? Can we all remember his weed killer dripping out of the back of his lawn tractor sprayer resulting in a path of dead grass? This tournament has now changed into a girls softball tournament and Everett continued worrying with the same fervor.
One of Everett’s greatest honors occurred on July 4, 2017, when the Whalan Fastpitch Tournament was inducted into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame. To this day, it is the only tournament that has ever been nominated and elected into this hall of fame.
Everett was a man of service to his country, church and community. He was often heard saying, “OK, let’s do it.” He taught Sunday School for 10 years, was a member of the Whalan Lutheran Church Council for 20 years and served as church president. He was also a member of the Whalan City Council for over 45 years, and a member of American Legion Post #637 in Whalan and Post #40 in Lanesboro for 60 years and served as commander for two years during that time. But most of all, he touched all of our lives in some way with his kindness, positivity and smile.
Everett was preceded in death by his parents Thore and Lydia Johnson, sister Linda Byrd, and infant baby brother Thore.
Everett’s funeral will be Saturday, September 26 at 11 a.m., with visitation two hours prior to the service. In honor of Everett’s love of sports, and his dedication to Whalan’s Fastpitch Tournament, Everett’s “Last Inning” will take place outside, at the Whalan Ballpark. In his memory please wear your Whalan Fastpitch tee shirt or similar shirt. There are bleachers but you may bring a lawn chair, just as Everett has done so many times. In case of inclement weather, it will be in the Whalan Lutheran Church. Inurnment with military services will be on Monday, September 28 at 10 a.m. at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston.
Everett is survived by his twin brother Ernie (Joan) Johnson, nephew Craig Albertson, niece Sarah Baumer and a multitude of friends in neighboring towns and states.
Hoff Funeral Home – Lanesboro is assisting the family with arrangements.
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