David E. V. Johnson

Funeral services for David E. V. Johnson, age 101, of Milaca, will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 11 AM at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Milaca with Rev. Don Smith and Rev. Tom Sahlstrom officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca. David Emanuel Vitalis Johnson was born February 1, 1911 to Vitalis and Hannah (Kasperson) Johnson in Bock, MN. As a child, his family moved to a farm near Beltrami, MN and they later moved to a farm near Fertile, MN. He attended country school in Polk County and attended St. Paul University Agriculture School for one year. In 1929, David moved back to Bock and farmed for three years. In 1933, he moved to a dairy farm southeast of Milaca where he raised registered Guernsey cattle. On September 10, 1938, he married Manghild Peterson. In 1972, they sold their farm animals and spent time traveling. They made three trips to Ecuador to visit their son, Paul and his wife, Nelda, who were missionaries there. In October 2000, they sold the farm and moved to Milaca. David was an active member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Milaca. He also served on the rural telephone board, Milaca School Board, was a 4-H Leader and was active in Farm Bureau. At age 80, David began doing counted cross stitch. He stitched wall hangings for his wife and children as well as personalized Christmas tree ornaments for each of his family members. David enjoyed this hobby for over a decade until his eyesight began to fail. He died on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at the Milaca Elim Home. He is survived by his children, Carol Jepsen of Montrose, Marilyn (Ron) Beck of Woodinville, WA, Paul (Nelda) of Bradenton, FL and Gloria (Vern) Heidner of Otsego, MN; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; also by other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Manghild in 2006; son-in-law, Glenn Jepsen and great-grandson, Josiah.