Richard John Johnson

Richard John Johnson, 94, of Preston, passed away September 29, 2024, at Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony. 

Richard was born June 12, 1930, in rural Peterson, Minn., to Richard A. and Ella (Hoff) Johnson.  Richard graduated from Peterson High School.  He met his wife Florence in Houston, Minn., and they became engaged on Valentine’s Day 1951, marrying on June 17, 1951.  Richard spent most of his life farming in the Rushford-Peterson area, which included dairy, pigs, crops, and a variety of birds, including his beloved peacocks.  Richard and Florence raised three daughters and six sons.  They moved to Idabel, Okla., in 1979 before returning to Minnesota and settling in Preston.  In his later years, Richard enjoyed gardening, often donating an abundance of product to the Preston Food Shelf.  Richard was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Preston, Minn.  Richard loved his family more than anything and spent his last few months connecting with his family, which he was very proud of.

Richard is survived by his nine children: Nancy (Terry) Driscoll, Scott (Celia), Connie Snyder, Jon (Sharon), Diane (Don) Mitchell, Tom (Marcia), Mark (Becky), Tim (Kari), and Brad (Sandy);  29 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law Ron and Don, and many nieces and nephews. 

Richard was preceded in death by his wife Florence of 70 years in 2022, his parents, his parents-in-law, sisters Clara and Delores, brother Ray, sisters-in-law Liela, Eva and Dorothy; brothers-in-law Fritz, Allen and Alfred; and granddaughter Jessica.

Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church, Preston, or to Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, in memory of Richard.  

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on October 16, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, Minn., with Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service.  Burial will take place at Grace Cemetery, Peterson, Minn., at a later date.

Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Preston, is handling the arrangements.