Paul Richard Johnson

Paul Richard Johnson was born September 28, 1939 to Algot and Carrie (Hansen) Johnson in Fargo, ND. Paul died on March 8, 2020, in Essentia Health Hospital.

In 1944, his parents moved to Hawley, MN, where he grew to adulthood. He was baptized and confirmed at Hawley Lutheran Church and later in life in the Church of God. As a boy, he was usually found in the library reading books, mostly books about world events or history. Later in high school, he entered and won the Cow Clipping Contest for FFA. He graduated from Hawley High School in 1957. He then went on to work for Hansen Brothers Construction as a brick layer. In 1962 he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. He was Honorably Discharged in 1964.

After returning from the military, he continued working for Hansen Brothers Construction until 1974 when he began farming with his younger brothers.

Paul was a man of strong character and he had a way of giving you his opinion about politics, religion, and the world. He read the newspaper from front to back every day. He had a love for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He enjoyed life and loved to dance on Sundays at the Galaxy in Barnesville. His favorite dance was the polka. He had a wonderful sense of humor and usually had a story to tell. Punctuality wasn’t his best quality as he was usually late for any family gathering, especially funerals. He usually made it in time for lunch, which as the saying goes, better late than never.

He is survived by his sisters; Marie Holm, Dilworth, MN, Margie (Marvis) Thompson, Perley, MN, Janet (Vern) Crabtree, Diane (Harlan) Hovelson, and Katherine (Kenneth) Dahl, all of Hawley, MN, Virginia (Ginger) Tangen, Grand Forks, ND, and Fran (Bill) Richter, Glyndon, MN; brothers, Darrell and Gary Johnson, Hawley, MN; sisters-in-law, Karen Johnson, Dundas, MN, and Jeannie Johnson, Bloomington, MN; thirty four nephews and nieces; eighty grand nephews and nieces; and four great-grand nieces and nephews; and many other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Algot and Carrie; brothers, Russell, Roger, and William; and brothers-in-law, Thomas Holm and Richard Tangen.

We lost another soldier to Agent Orange.

Visitation will be from 10:00A.M. – 11:00 A.M., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 16, 2020, at Hawley Lutheran Church, Hawley, MN. A private graveside service will take place at Fargo National Cemetery, Fargo, ND, at a later date.