Donald Johnson

Donald Johnson, age 78, of Ortonville, MN died January 14, 2014, at the Ortonville Area Hospital. A gathering time for family and friends will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2014, at the Senior Center in Ortonville, MN.

Donald T. Johnson, the son of Clarence and Evelyn (Peart) Johnson, was born in Alexandria, MN on June 20, 1935. He attended and graduated from Alexandria High School. Don enlisted in the Marine Corp on October 23, 1953. He served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged on October 23, 1955 at Camp Pendleton, California. Don was awarded with a Good Conduct Medal and the Korean Service Medal.

Donald was united in marriage to Sylvia Rinke August 10, 1957, in Alexandria, Minnesota and they were blessed with three children. Don worked as a salesman at JC Penney Department Store. In 1994 Don and Sylvia purchased the Big Stone Motel in Big Stone City, SD. They met and made many friends from all over the country. In 2004 they sold the business and retired.

Don was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Alexandria Elks, American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Don passed away January 14, 2014, at the Ortonville Area Hospital with his family by his side.

Survivors are his sons: Thomas (Mindy) Johnson of Lenexa, KS, and Robert (Rhonda) Johnson of Minot, ND; daughter, Dawn (Bruce) Byrd of Bozeman, MT; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Jeannie (Ed) Connoly of Phillipsburg, NJ.


Preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sylvia; and an infant sister.