Loren Elmer Johnson

Funeral services for Loren Johnson, age 74, of Zimmerman, formerly of Onamia, will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 5 PM at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca. Visitation will be from 5 - 8 PM Tuesday at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca and 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Loren Elmer Johnson was born February 10, 1941, to Ralph Otto and Laura (Morley) Johnson, in Royal, NE. In 1948 he moved with his family to Onamia, MN where he lived and attended school until his high school graduation. After graduation, Loren moved to the Twin Cities and began working at Honeywell International, primarily as a tool and die maker. Around this time Loren also became one of the founding members of “The Country Drifters” country western band. Though he met his future bride, Debara Kay (Salgren) Johnson, at a playing job, he eventually gave up his place with the band when marriage, family and work responsibilities consumed his discretionary time. Though he never performed again professionally, Loren and Debbie provided a music-filled home for the children and grandchildren who survive them: Jennifer (John) (and Ethan, Loren, Alissa, Callie) Olinger of Ozark, MO, David Johnson of Zimmerman, Tamara (Ron) (and Sequoia, Quillan, Seneca) Radke of St. Cloud and Trevor (Kacie Woodis) Johnson of Blaine. Loren was also survived by brothers Marvin (Esther) Johnson of Anoka, Gordon (Susie) Johnson of Onamia and Gail Johnson of Florida and sisters Joan (Elhart) Mickelson and Charlene Johnson, both of Wisconsin. Loren and Debbie started their married life in New Brighton, MN, but ended up raising their children in Zimmerman and Onamia, MN before eventually moving to their current lake home in Zimmerman, MN, in 1986. In 2000, Loren took an early retirement from Honeywell after 40 years and 6 months of employment. He lost his beloved Debbie on February 28, 2009 and passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015 at the St. Cloud Hospital. In death, Loren was also reunited with both parents and two brothers, Ralph (Prudence) Johnson and Burton (Helen) Johnson.