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In memory of

Rev. Dean M. Johnson

Coon Rapids, MN, USA

July 26, 1937 - July 9, 2021

Jul 26, 1937 - Jul 9, 2021

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Dean Marley Johnson, 83, of Coon Rapids, MN, died on Friday, July 9, 2021, in Minneapolis of interstitial lung disease. He was born on July 26, 1937 in Minneapolis, MN, to Wesley Arthur and Marion Meldena (Anderson) Johnson. Nisswa, MN, was home though his father’s pastoral work took them to many communities in north central Minnesota. He graduated from Brainerd High School in Brainerd, MN, in 1955. At the encouragement of his father, Dean attended Oak Hills Bible Institute (now Oak Hills Christian College) in Bemidji, MN, though he really wanted to hunt and become a pilot. There his faith in Jesus Christ matured and took root. He sensed God’s call to serve the bride of Christ, the Church, and graduated from the U of M with a degree in history before studying for a Master of Divinity at Fuller Seminary in California. In 1959 he met Barbara Gayle Blaud in Nisswa. They dated in college and married on January 25, 1963 in St. Paul, MN. He served as senior pastor at Cummings Evangelical Free Church (EFC) in Cummings, ND, First EFC in Willmar, MN, and First EFC in Ames, IA. He was the superintendent for the North Central District of the EFCA. After retiring, he was interim pastor at Coon Rapids EFC and Northfield EFC, both in Minnesota.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, sister Phyllis Caroline Johnson and brother-in-law Gordon Ray Bear. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Jodi (Kirk) Kawagoe of Reedley, CA, Becky (Richard) Mackey of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, Timothy (Laura) Johnson of Naperville, IL, Jeffry (Kristi) Johnson of Maple Grove, MN; brother Dwight (Darlene) Johnson of Brainerd, MN; sisters Bonnie Bear of San Diego, CA, and Ruth (Larry) Lipka of Springfield, IL; 14 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their children.

Dean had a zest for life that led him to many adventures from the bush buggy of his teen years to photography, water skiing, fishing, model trains, hiking, gardening, surfing, downhill skiing, wood working, agate hunting and travel. He puttered, innovated, and fixed anything and everything, always inviting family and friends into his activities. He took up distance biking after heart bypass surgery in his retirement.

Most important to Dean was his relationship with Jesus Christ and nurturing the Church. His mission statement was “I live to glorify God by living in an authentic relationship with Jesus, empowering me to be gracious and truthful in my relationships with my family and others in my sphere of influence.” Those who knew Dean would say that he fulfilled his mission by God’s grace. Throughout his life he befriended, mentored and discipled countless people.

Visitation will be July 16, 10 am-12:00 pm and July 17 at 2:30 pm-4:00 pm at Coon Rapids EFC. A memorial service will be held July 17 at 4:00 pm at the same location. In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcomed to: Coon Rapids EFC, the North Central District EFCA, United World Mission Project #63755 for the Dominican Republic, and Oak Hills Christian College.

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I missed posting something yesterday. I am happy that Larry and he are together in heaven but I re…

I missed posting something yesterday. I am happy that Larry and…

My heart is heavy and at the same time joyful today thinking of my dear brother and the ministry he had with countless …

My heart is heavy and at the same time joyful today thinking of my dear brother and the ministry he…

My heart is heavy and at the same time joyful today thinking of …

I met Pastor Dean Johnson in Ames, Iowa, while studying for a master’s in engineering. Ames is a college town, with man…

I met Pastor Dean Johnson in Ames, Iowa, while studying for a master’s in engineering. Ames is a co…

I met Pastor Dean Johnson in Ames, Iowa, while studying for a ma…

Dear Johnson family,

I knew Dean from the EFC church in Ames, IA, when I attended ISU. He invited me to a weekly morn…

Dear Johnson family,

I knew Dean from the EFC church in Ames, IA, when I attended ISU. He invited…

Dear Johnson family,

I knew Dean from the EFC church in Ames, …

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Please consider a gift to Coon Rapids Evangelical Free Church, North Central District Association of the Evangelical Free Church of America or United World Mission.

$900.00

Raised by 7 people

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