It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Merle Edward Johnson, aged 89, who left us peacefully on November 7th, 2023, in Burnsville Minnesota after a lengthy Alzheimer’s Disease journey. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and an exceptional grandfather.

Born in February of 1934 in Lynn Township, Minnesota, Merle was the fourth of seven children to Lawrence and Myrtle Johnson. He graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1952 before enlisting into the United States Air Force. During this time, he participated in a top-secret mission in Greenland during the Korean War and was promoted to one of the youngest Staff Sergeants. Once discharged in 1956, he returned to Minnesota and attended Mankato State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

He started his professional career in California at McDonnell Douglas negotiating contracts with NASA. It’s there that he met the love of his life, Pamela Johnson, and they were married on June 5, 1971. They lived in Tustin, California until 1984 when they decided to move with their three daughters to Minnesota where he had family and also owned multiple farms. Merle was a dedicated family man who cherished every moment spent with his loved ones. He was a man with integrity, loyalty, and a generous heart.

In Merle’s free time, he enjoyed gardening, smoking his cigar, playing with his grandchildren, and finding new restaurants to try. He was an avid football and basketball fan and loved taking spontaneous road trips with Pam which usually led to a casino(s).

He is survived by his beloved wife Pam, his children Kristi (Steve) Dzubay, Robyn (Andy) Wagner, and Jackie Johnson, his grandchildren Jacob and Kyle Dungy, Alison and Brady Wagner, his sister Beverly (Ron) Krall, and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends who will miss him dearly and keep his memory alive.

Merle is preceded in death by his parents, siblings - Butch, Marvin, Delores, Jeanette, Duane and granddaughter, Sydney.

A funeral service will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church at 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd, Apple Valley MN 55124, on Monday, November 27th. Visitation will be at 10am and service at 11am with lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association. Merle will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

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