Ronald J. Johnson, age 73 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died at home on September 7, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Ronald “Herk” James Johnson, the son of James and Lois (Mudick) Johnson, was born on July 9, 1950, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. The fourth of five children, Herk was raised with his sisters in Sleepy Eye and attended Sleepy Eye Public School. On July 19, 1980, Herk married the love of his life, Mary Krueger, and they were blessed to celebrate 43 years of marriage this summer.
Herk worked in construction throughout his life, working at Mathiowetz Construction and later as an independent contractor. His attention to detail, creativity, and critical eye made him an excellent wood craftsman. He loved working with his hands and took great pride in the projects he completed including remodeling his and Mary’s home and building various wood pieces for family members. If something needed to be fixed, Herk was the guy to do it. When he wasn’t working, he loved to be outdoors deer hunting and fishing. Because of who he was – a jokester with a great sense of humor – Herk was always the center of attention with his nieces and nephews and they, in turn, were his pride and joy. He was also fond of his cat Joey, who would jump on the riding lawn mower with Herk, and the pet chickens he raised. Although he was very independent and hard-pressed to accept help from others, he was the first one to offer a hand to anyone in need. Herk was kind, selfless, and a whole lot of fun to be around. He will be incredibly missed.
Herk is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Johnson of Sleepy Eye; siblings, Shirley (Calvin) Shoen of Springfield, Sue Haala of Sleepy Eye, and Carol (Steve) Nott of Clements; ten sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lois Johnson; parents-in-law, Leo and Viola Krueger; sister and her husband, Donna and Harlan Larson; brothers-in-law, Donn Krueger, John Larson, Melvin Sellner, and Fred Hazelton; sister-in-law, Virginia Welter; and nephews, Brooks Sellner and Craig Augustin.