Dean Johnson Obituary

Dean G. Johnson, age 82 of Norwood Young America, passed away on September 26, 2025, at Glenfields in Glencoe.

Celebration of Life Mass Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church (41 E. 1st Street) in Waconia with Father Stan Mader presiding. Visitation one hour prior to Mass.

Dean Gordon Johnson was born September 5, 1943, in Litchfield, the son of Albert and Violet (Peterson) Johnson. After graduating from Litchfield High School, Dean spent years working on the family farm. On November 7, 1970, Dean was united in marriage to LuAnn (Herrig) Johnson. Their union was blessed with four children.

At Bongards Creamery, Dean proudly spent 28 years working as a buttermaker and later a wastewater treatment manager. He also enjoyed his job as a school bus driver for District 108. After retiring, he volunteered as a bus driver for numerous community groups.

An avid outdoorsman, Dean enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening as well as fishing and hunting. He appreciated a good fishing story and loved to discuss his gardening plans for the following spring and summer.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Violet Johnson; sister and brother-in-law Luverne (Hank) Ye; brothers and sisters-in-law Glenn (Willadine) Johnson, Wilton (Dorothy) Johnson; father-in-law and mother-in-law Raymond and Agnes Herrig; brother-in-law David Herrig.

Dean is survived by his loving family: wife LuAnn; children Douglas (Christie) Johnson of Waconia, Daniel (Margaret) Johnson of Maple Grove, Andrew (Jill) Johnson of Waconia, Anna (Tony Fusaro) Johnson of Plymouth; grandchildren Nicholas (Jessica) Johnson, Christopher (Veronica) Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Edward Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Dylan Johnson, Hadley Johnson, Dominick Fusaro, Luca Fusaro, Vincent Fusaro, Nico Fusaro; great-grandchildren James, Nevaeh, Charles, Alia, Avery; sister and brother-in-law Shirley and John Lekander; sisters-in-law Paula Herrig, Jan Herrig; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Dean selflessly wanted to be of use even after death to further the education of future medical professionals at the University of Minnesota by gifting his body to research.

The flowers I planted still will grow,

Their petals bright in morning's glow.

Though I must leave, my work remains,

In every bud that feels the rain. - Author Unknown

Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, 952-442-2121, www.johnsonfh.com.