LaRuen “Larry” Johnson, 69, of Owatonna, died Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at Koda Living Community.
LaRuen was born April 18, 1945 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the son of Lee and Alice (Olson) Johnson. He attended school in Hartland and then at Freeborn, graduating in 1963. He lived near Ellendale following high school. He was united in marriage to Betty Dobberstein on October 9, 1970 in New Richland. The couple lived in Owatonna where LaRuen worked for Harland Tires. Betty died January 11, 1993.
LaRuen owned and operated Service Master Commercial Cleaning in Owatonna. He was married to Lois Gossman on November 23, 1996 at St. JohnLutheran Church, Owatonna. He sold his business in May 2011.
Larry enjoyed deer hunting. He was a collector of Budweiser steins and spent time playing cards such as Hand and Foot and Cribbage. Family and friends were important to him and he enjoyed that time with them. LaRuen was a loving, caring and kind man that will be missed.He is survived by his wife Lois Johnson of Owatonna; a son, Shawn (and fiancé Jessica Jones) Johnson of Rochester; a daughter, Sara (and Michael) Lindstrom of Blaine; three step-children, Richard (and Lorie) Gossman of Rochester; Paul (and Taunia) Gossman of Kuna, ID; Robert Gossman (and Cassie Henson) of Eugene, OR; a sister, Connie Johnson of New Richland; his mother, Alice Simonson of Albert Lea; his father, Lee Johnson of Ellendale; 12 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty in 1993.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, July 25, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service in the church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor Dave Klawiter officiating. Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery in Owatonna.