Raymond Richard Johnson was born on June 6, 1925 to Richard and Inez (Herschberger) Johnson in Ash Lake Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota on the family farm. Raymond attended rural country school before helping his family on the farm. Raymond was united in marriage to Ruth Scotting on April 5, 1968 at Bethany Elim Church in Ivanhoe, Minnesota. The couple continued to live on the family farm while owning and operating their restaurant in Ivanhoe for over 20 years. Ruth preceded Raymond in death on September 29, 2019. Raymond continued to remain on the farm, where he died peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at the age of 94 years, ten months, and ten days.
Raymond had been a member at Bethany-Elim Lutheran church in Ivanhoe and the Country Church of Ruthton, Minnesota. He served on the board for the West Elim Cemetery for over 30 years, and put his love of antique cars to good use in the Antique Car Club and local parades. Along with the antique cars, Raymond also enjoyed collecting older tractors. He also enjoyed going to casinos and spending time with his family and friends. Friends and family will always remember his story-telling abilities, his ability to light up a room with his sense of humor, and his habit of going outdoors to enjoy the sounds and visuals of a good thunderstorm.
He will be remembered by his children, Carla (John) Lupkes of Marshall, Minnesota, Connie Drietz of Minneota, Minnesota, Carmen Kulla of Montevideo, Minnesota, Myron (MiKayla) Johnson of Ivanhoe, and Michelle (Ty) Stolp of Wood Lake, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren, Kelly and Cory Lietz, Devin (Ashley) and Damian (Kelsey) Drietz, Preston Rochel, Karina Tykwinski, Kyle (Amanda) Kulla, Raymond, Rolland, Jacob (Irania) and Joseph Johnson, Zac and Morgan Thorkelson, and Cierra Stolp; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lois Winter of Minneota, Minnesota and Ilene Lundberg of Ivanhoe, Minnesota; and many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents, Richard and Inez; a sister, Rhoda Larson; and brothers-in-law, Carl Larson, Valgean Lundberg, and Melvin Winter.
