"Wes is my cousin. We just started to have reunions recently, and Wes came to most of them. He was always funny and good company. We sat on a bench in Aspen, visited and watched the affluent world go by with Karen Ruona, another cousin. I will really miss him!"
In loving memory of
Wesley Johnson
November 19, 1943 - September 25, 2008
Wesley "Wes" Owen Johnson was born on November 19, 1943, in Clarkfield, Minnesota to the late John Oscar and Lucille (Vanstrom) Johnson. He was baptized at an early age on January 9, 1944, at the First English Lutheran Church in Clarkfield and later confirmed in that same church. Wes received his early education in the Clarkfield Public Schools and then moved to Storden for the 9th grade and graduated from Storden High School in the Class of 1962. He then attended the University of Minnesota for one year.
In April of 1963, Wes enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at the Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu, California. He was honorably discharged in 1967 and began to work in Minneapolis. Wes then returned to Storden where he owned Storden Builder's Supply and Wes' TV Repair. For the past several years, Wes lived in Blue Earth, Minnesota where he worked for a refrigeration manufacturer until retiring in 2006. After retiring, Wes continued to live in Blue Earth and was diagnosed with cancer in October of 2007. He fought the disease courageously until passing away at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 64.
Wes was a longtime member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Storden and the Herbert-Reese American Legion Post #391 in Storden. He enjoyed watching television, working with computers, sports, and fishing. He truly enjoyed being with family and loved his nieces and nephews and their children.
Wes is survived by two sisters, Ruth Ann (Ben) Leadholm of Minneapolis; Carrie (Bob) Meyer of Comfrey; nephews, Ben (Pushpa) Leadholm, Sam (Emily) Leadholm; Jesse Leadholm; Nate (Sharlo) Meyer; nieces, Sarah (Bill) Conlin and Martha (Dan) Franzwa; grandnephews and nieces, Rachael and Jessica Leadholm; Evelyn and Francis Leadholm; Kaylee, Maxton, and Brett Meyer; William and John Conlin; and Emmett and Jorja Franzwa.
Wes is preceded in death by his parents.
Blessed be the memory of Wes O. Johnson.
Tributes
"Sorry to hear of the passing of Wes,he was a good person and will be missed."
"We teasure the good visit we had with Wes a few months ago at Bob and Carries aniv. We had lots of fun times with Wes when he was in Storden and really missed him after he left.Our Sympathy to the family.Toach(as Wes always called Denny)& Mary "
"I don't know anyone, who didn't like Wes. He was fun to be around and always had a smile on his face. Also remembering how he loved to "Rock-n-Roll"! "
"The dictionary says a friend is someone you like to be around. I say"Wes was my best friend." Did you ever hear him say anything bad about anybody? "
"Wes was a classmate of mine. He was always a lot of fun. I remember him as being short in school, but when he came to one of our class reunions surprised us by being very tall. I visited with him at various times when he worked at the lumber yard in Storden. I'll be praying for comfort with the family and friends."