J. Ralph Johnson

Ralph Johnson, 93, died peacefully on March 24, 2021 at Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, North Dakota.

Ralph was born April 24, 1927 to Walter and Clara (Wellenstein) Johnson in Grafton, ND. He graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1945. Ralph enlisted in the Navy and served as Seaman First Class in the Pacific. He was proud to have witnessed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender signed on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.  Following his discharge, he attended St Johns University, Collegeville, MN. He then moved to Detroit Lakes, MN, and worked for Northern Pacific Railroad. It is here he met and married the love of his life, Adrienne Peterson, on August 18, 1951. In 1962 they moved to Moorhead where Ralph started his career as a sales representative for the Vernon Company selling promotional advertising products. In time they started their own promotional products business, Johnson Promotions, Inc. He loved to fish at his cabin on Little Toad Lake, and spend winters in Arizona where he established life long friendships. In fact, his front porch became “Ralph’s Bar” where many brandy Manhattan’s were served.

Ralph is survived by is son, Michael, Bismarck, ND; daughters, Linda (David) Peterson, Fargo, ND, and Debra (Marc) Withrow, Gardnerville, NV; five grandchildren, Chelsea Johnson, Emily and Matthew Peterson, Leah and Jessica Withrow, and brother, Dale (Jan) Johnson, Eagan, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and his wife of 55 years.

Memorials are preferred to American Legion Post 21, Moorhead, MN, or to the Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021 from 10-11 AM followed by the memorial service at 11:00 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.

Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.