Kenneth R. Johnson

Funeral service for Kenneth R. Johnson, 86, of Palo, will be 11:00am Friday, April 12, 2024 at Palo Congregational Church in Palo with Pastor Belle Westman officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in the Rauha Cemetery in Palo.  Following the burial, lunch will be served at the Loon Lake Community Center.  Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home.  

Kenneth died Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at New Journey Residence in Biwabik, Minnesota.

Kenneth was born March 18, 1938 to John and Toini (Vietanen) Johnson in Biwabik, Minnesota.  He was a 1956 graduate of Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School.  Ken was briefly married and divorced after high school.

In 1961 he enlisted with the US Army and was stationed at William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas.

In 1964 he married Carol Olmstead and they made their home in Hoyt Lakes for 52 years, retiring to Frying Pan Lake in Palo in 2016.  Ken enjoyed riding motorcycle and snowmobile and deer hunting.  For the past 30 years, Ken and Carol have enjoyed traveling the United State and foreign countries with Larry and Mary and to Madeline Island with Dick and Carol.

Leaving behind is his wife, Carol; son, Brian (Eva) Johnson of Embarrass; granddaughter, Kaylee (Kirk) Maki of Aurora; great grandchildren: Jax, Eli and Emery Maki; brother, Ralph (Sherry) Johnson of Palo; sister, Diane Sawyer of Clear Lake, CA; several cousins, nieces, nephews and several brothers and sisters in law.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Toini Johnson; son, Lance Johnson; three unborn children; brother-in-law, Dale Olmstead.

Ken’s family wishes to thank the entire staff at New Journey in Biwabik for the wonderful care Ken received.  They could have not asked for better loving care and is greatly appreciated.