Kenneth Maynard Johnson, 78

Published 10:22 am Monday, March 27, 2017

Kenneth Maynard Johnson, 78

Kenneth Maynard Johnson, 78, of Austin, Minnesota, died Friday, March 24, 2017, at his home in Austin.

He was born Nov. 27, 1938, in Austin, the son of Lowell F. and Jeanette (Thompson) Johnson. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Austin High School in 1957. After graduation, Kenneth worked at Cleveland Hardware in the Sterling Shopping Center. He met his future wife, Lucille Schlekau, on a blind date in the summer of 1969, and they married six months later on Dec. 6, 1969, in Mankato, Minnesota. They made their home in Austin where they raised three sons. He enjoyed working on cars and spending time with his family and grandkids. He also enjoyed being outdoors and collecting coins. He was employed by Cyrgus in Austin until the early 1990s when he retired due to health issues. He was a member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church and had been a member of the Thumpers Car Club in his younger days. His wife Lucille died on March 27, 2008.

Kenneth is survived by three sons, Matthew Johnson of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Jonathan (Tonya) Johnson of Warren, Michigan, and Nathaniel (Kathy) Johnson of Owatonna, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Madisyn, Anna, Khloe, Cole and Sophia; a sister, Rose (Dennis) Wendt of Stewartville, Minnesota; two sisters-in-laws, Reve Rasmussen of Good Thunder, Minnesota, and Karen Swank of Austin; a niece, Penny (Tom) Thompson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lucille; four sisters, Lola Mae Johnson, Gloria Jean Johnson, Patricia K. Dockman and Lila Davis; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Dockham.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. Interment will follow the service at Grandview Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com