Jerry A.  Johnson, 86

Jerry Anthony Johnson, age 86, of Austin, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 in Cresco, Iowa, of complications from a recent surgery.

Jerry was born on February 9, 1938 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of birth parents, Anthony Belmonte and Anna Christensen. After seven years in foster care through the Minnesota State Orphanage in Owatonna, Jerry was adopted by Gilbert and Elsie Johnson and moved to Austin, Minnesota. He graduated from Austin High School in 1956 and served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960 in Alaska and Oklahoma.

Jerry loved being a father to Jeremy and Brooke. He enjoyed a 25 year career as a letter carrier in Austin. In 1986, he married Marilyn Murray. He enjoyed collecting political buttons and stamps, going fishing up North, reading, and taking care of his fur buddies: Ruby, Cobber, Dirk, Sonny, and Brutus. Jerry saved every letter and card sent to him, and you never had to wonder what he was thinking because he would always tell you!

Jerry was preceded in death by his four-day-old daughter, Tracy; his son, Jeremy; his parents; and his sister, Mary Johnson.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; daughter and son-in-law, Brooke and Richard Fitts; sister-in-law, Mary Poole; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mike and Debbie Murray; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

A Gathering of Remembrance will be held from 4-6 pm on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary.

Memorials are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Mower County Humane Society, or Howard County Community Hospice.

Sincere thanks to the many doctors, nurses, aides, and physical therapists who took wonderful care of Jerry at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Accura Health Care of Cresco, and the Howard County Community Hospice team.

Blessed be his memory.