1920
Merlyn
2007
Merlyn Johnson
August 22, 1920 — August 17, 2007
Merlyn Leslie Johnson was born on August 22, 1920 in Graceville, MN to parents Vernon and Alma (Knutson) Johnson. While growing up on the family farm he attended the country school, Peever High School and later Browns Valley High School. In 1937 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) where he ran a caterpillar and helped build the dam on Sand Lake. At age 21 Merlyn went out to California and got a job at an air craft plant building B-24's.
Merlyn joined the Army Air Force in 1943 and was a tail gunner in the B-24 Liberator. He flew twenty-six missions and was shot in leg and crash landed twice. For his service he was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Crew Badge, American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
Following his return to the States, Merlyn married fellow WWII veteran Mildred Wilm on September 28, 1946 in Browns Valley, MN. To this union were born seven children: Richard, Patty, Don, Steve, Jerry, Peggy, and Mary. Merlyn and Mildred celebrated sixty wonderful years together prior to his passing.
Merlyn retuned to Easter Township and started farming. Two years later he bought a farm in Becker Township (1948) where he farmed for thirty-four years. He took pride in improving the land so he bought a D-7 Cat and buried a lot of rock. He milked cows for twenty years and built up a beef herd he had bought from his uncle, Chris Knutson of Princeton. He did some custom work and always treated people in a fair manner; his hand shake was his word. He worked long hours under tough conditions and developed health problems. Merlyn retired at age 62, but continued to help at the farm and dig rock for several years.
Merlyn was always involved in the American Legion Post #58 of Browns Valley and was a member for sixty years, serving as the post Commander twice. For years he prepared the potatoes and put up the posters for the Steak and Fish Fry. He was proud of not missing a military funeral for nearly fifty years. His departed comrades were very important to him. Merlyn was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3342 of Sisseton, SD.
In his diary, Merlyn stated "I had never gone to church in my life, but during the hot and heavy action of WWII, I made up my own prayers and promised God, if I live, I'm going to church." He had married the love of his life, Mildred and he said "I went to Church most of the time, but it bothered me to sit still." After he retired, he mowed the church cemetery for over ten years.
Merlyn passed away Thursday, August 16, 2007 at his home in Browns Valley, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Alma Johnson; baby daughter, Mary; brothers, Richard and Larry; sister, Mavis Schuler and her husband, Bob; brother-in-law, Ernie Zacharias; and nephews Robbie Schuler and Jim Zacharias.
Merlyn is survived by his beloved wife, Mildred of Browns Valley. He is also survived by his children: Richard of Big Lake, MN, Patty (Dick) Blegen of Saginaw, MN; Don (Glenda), Steve, Jerry (Diane) all of Browns Valley, and Peggy (Gerald) Heck of Beardsley; thirteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. In addition, Merlyn is survived by his sister, Evelyn Zacharias of Browns Valley; sister-in-law, Marian Johnson of Napa, California; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mat and Dolores Wilm of Browns Valley.
Merlyn joined the Army Air Force in 1943 and was a tail gunner in the B-24 Liberator. He flew twenty-six missions and was shot in leg and crash landed twice. For his service he was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Crew Badge, American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
Following his return to the States, Merlyn married fellow WWII veteran Mildred Wilm on September 28, 1946 in Browns Valley, MN. To this union were born seven children: Richard, Patty, Don, Steve, Jerry, Peggy, and Mary. Merlyn and Mildred celebrated sixty wonderful years together prior to his passing.
Merlyn retuned to Easter Township and started farming. Two years later he bought a farm in Becker Township (1948) where he farmed for thirty-four years. He took pride in improving the land so he bought a D-7 Cat and buried a lot of rock. He milked cows for twenty years and built up a beef herd he had bought from his uncle, Chris Knutson of Princeton. He did some custom work and always treated people in a fair manner; his hand shake was his word. He worked long hours under tough conditions and developed health problems. Merlyn retired at age 62, but continued to help at the farm and dig rock for several years.
Merlyn was always involved in the American Legion Post #58 of Browns Valley and was a member for sixty years, serving as the post Commander twice. For years he prepared the potatoes and put up the posters for the Steak and Fish Fry. He was proud of not missing a military funeral for nearly fifty years. His departed comrades were very important to him. Merlyn was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3342 of Sisseton, SD.
In his diary, Merlyn stated "I had never gone to church in my life, but during the hot and heavy action of WWII, I made up my own prayers and promised God, if I live, I'm going to church." He had married the love of his life, Mildred and he said "I went to Church most of the time, but it bothered me to sit still." After he retired, he mowed the church cemetery for over ten years.
Merlyn passed away Thursday, August 16, 2007 at his home in Browns Valley, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Alma Johnson; baby daughter, Mary; brothers, Richard and Larry; sister, Mavis Schuler and her husband, Bob; brother-in-law, Ernie Zacharias; and nephews Robbie Schuler and Jim Zacharias.
Merlyn is survived by his beloved wife, Mildred of Browns Valley. He is also survived by his children: Richard of Big Lake, MN, Patty (Dick) Blegen of Saginaw, MN; Don (Glenda), Steve, Jerry (Diane) all of Browns Valley, and Peggy (Gerald) Heck of Beardsley; thirteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. In addition, Merlyn is survived by his sister, Evelyn Zacharias of Browns Valley; sister-in-law, Marian Johnson of Napa, California; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mat and Dolores Wilm of Browns Valley.