Delbert C. Johnson, age 80 of Owatonna, died Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault.
Delbert Carl Johnson was born on February 25, 1936 in New Richland, Minnesota the son of Carl and Edith Johnson and attended country school. On March 19, 1953, Delbert enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army on March 2, 1956, and served in the National Guard Reserves for a number of years. He was united in marriage to Henrietta DeSchane on October 3, 1959. The couple was blessed with four children, Kevin, Kristine, Dawn and Darren. They later divorced. Delbert worked at Owatonna Manufacturing Company and Fretham Brothers Excavating for a number of years. On December 11, 1976, he married Marie Louise Johnson at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. The couple made their home in Owatonna where Delbert owned and operated Dell’s Trucking until 2006. He was an avid hunter and fisherman taking many trips up north. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, going for drives, horses and especially loved polka dancing.
Del was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Owatonna American Legion Post 77, Isaac Walton League, Sheriff’s Posse and Minnesota Pheasants of Steele County.
He is survived by his children, Kristine (Brian) Orlowski of Owatonna, Dawn (John) Nuetzman of Warsaw and Darren (Tammy) Johnson of Faribault; 11 grandchildren, Jamie Momont, Amanda Orlowski, Cole Orlowski, Zachery Anhorn, Brittany Anhorn, Casey Anhorn, Bobby Anhorn, Clara Nuetzman, Jordan Johnson, Jessica Johnson and Brooklynn Johnson; three great-grandchildren, Cooper Momont, Ryker Anhorn and Zoey Anhorn; sisters, Gertrude Johnson of Owatonna and Helen Miller of Hayfield and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; parents, Carl and Edith; son, Kevin Johnson; granddaughter, Katie Orlowski and brothers, Glen, Lowell and Harvey Johnson and sisters, Lenore Johnson, Dorothy Hendrickson and Evie Breck.
Del’s family would like to thank his caregivers over the last ten years and especially those at St. Lucas.
Memorials preferred to St. John Lutheran Church or Minnesota Pheasants of Steele County.
A Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Sunday, January 29, 2017 from 3-6 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna with Pastor Dave Klawiter officiating, immediately followed by a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be in Vista Lutheran Cemetery near New Richland.