Richard L. Johnson, 75, of Canton, Minn., died Friday, August 26, 2022, in Canton.
Richard was born April 16, 1947, in Lanesboro, Minn., to Leslie and Helen (Haakenstad) Johnson. He graduated from the Canton High School in 1965. From 1966 to 1969 he served in the United States Army both stateside and in Korea. On October 12, 1968, he was united in marriage to Donivee Ramlo in Canton. After his discharge from the Army in 1969 they moved back to Canton and in 1970 he started a 39-year career with Tri-State Breeders and Accelerated Genetics as an AI Technician. He received several awards for his performance in sales as well as an AI Technician. He was a member of the National Association of Animal Breeders and was inducted into the 100,000 Cow Club at a ceremony in St. Louis, Mo., in 1998. He took great pride in his work ethic, forged many lasting friendships in the surrounding farming community and in the breeding industry.
After retirement in 2009, he enjoyed fishing trips with his friends to Lake of the Woods until he was no longer able to manage it physically. He was a lover of dogs and was rarely seen traveling around the countryside without his faithful companions, Kirby and later, Cooper sitting beside him. As a young boy he started collecting coins. In later years his interest in learning the grading process of coins filled many hours of his day, especially just before going to a coin auction. He liked the challenge of seeing if he was correct in his opinion or not. He had a lifelong passion for playing various card games such as Euchre, 500 and Pinochle. He knew the strategy of the games and enjoyed the competitive nature of skilled players.
Richard and his wife loved to travel and were fortunate enough to be able to join other family members on several trips, visiting European countries and many states in the U.S. He had three favorite places to visit: Ireland, Scotland and Hawaii. They also enjoyed spending their winters and making new friends in Florida for the past 12 years.
Richard is survived by his wife Donivee of Canton, a sister, Kathleen (LeRoy) Haynes of Canton; brother-in-law Ronald (Marcia) Ramlo, Jr. of Pekin, Illinois; nephews Michael (Tina) Vannatter, Randall (SuAnne) Vannatter, Jon (Jen) Haynes, Daniel (Jasmine) Haynes, Todd (Kelly) Ramlo, and Jeffrey (Carla) Ramlo; great-nieces and nephews Katie Vannatter, Jack (Alicia) Vannatter, Joshua Vannatter, William Haynes, Livia Haynes, Onya Haynes, Abigail (Randon) Gettys, Hannah (John) Ramlo, Megan Ramlo, and Allison Ramlo; great-great-niece Halimeda Ramlo, aunts Elaine Dalager, Beverly Spande, Shirley Revoir, Delores Lantrip, and Gen Haakenstad; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Ronald and Phyllis Ramlo.
A memorial service will be Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Canton-Scotland Presbyterian Church in Canton at 11 a.m., with lunch and fellowship at the Assumption Hall in Canton following the service. A private family interment will be in the Elliota Cemetery. Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.