The funeral service for Darvin Johnson, 81, of Balaton, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020, at Victory Christian Church in Balaton. Visitation will be Thursday, March 5, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Victory Christian Church. Visitation will continue on Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place at a later date at the Zion Cemetery.
Darvin Lee Johnson was born on December 27, 1938, in Tyler, MN, to Evert and Gladys Johnson. He grew up on the family farm south of Balaton and attended country school. Darvin served in the U.S. National Guard for six years. On April 30, 1960, he was united in marriage to Beverly Brown. The couple farmed and raised their family on the family farm. In 2000, they retired and moved to Slayton. Darvin continued to drive tractor, helping Craig Gifford with spring and fall tillage work for several years. In June 2018, they returned to live in the Lakeview Senior Housing.
Darvin was a passionate and talented musician. He played fiddle and guitar for “the Siestas” for 30 years and played bass guitar for “Starfire” for six years. Darvin also played with the Old Time Fiddlers in South Dakota. In August 2014, he was inducted into the South Dakota “Old Time Fiddlers Hall of Fame.”
Darvin died on Sunday, March 1, 2020, at Our House of Murray County in Slayton, MN. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Balaton, children Rick (and Lori) Johnson of Marshall, Becky (and Dave) Ashley of Worthington, Ron (and Kelly) Johnson of Marshall, Rodney (and Kelly) Johnson of Balaton, grandchildren Jessica (and Matt), Katie (and Sam), Nathan (and fiancé Audrianna), Kayla (and Andy), Tanner (and fiancé Kia), Wyatt, Amiaya and Cassidy, step-grandchildren Justin (and Erika), Robert and Douglas, great-grandchildren Alexa, Makenzie, Hannah, Carter, Ava and Lincoln, brother-in-law Bob (and Cathy) Brown of Jackson, sister-in-law Barb (and Brad) Perkins of Jackson, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Everette and sister Vivian Stewart, brothers-in-law Kenneth Brown, Gordon Stewart and sister-in-law Mavis Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Our House of Murray County, Murray County Hospice.
