Dean Marcellus Johnson

Spring Grove, MN Dean Marcellus Johnson passed into the eternal care of our Lord on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at his home. He was born on June 29th, 1955 in LaCrosse WI, the son of Luverne and Wilma (Kinneberg/Kragness) Johnson of Spring Grove. Dean was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Dean attended K-12 at Spring Grove Public Schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served from 1973-1975. He also attended Bemidji State University from 1977-1981 majoring in Russian studies. Because of Dean’s dedication to the military, he was a member of the Spring Grove's American Legion 249. He served in many dedicated capacities and was well known for calling cadence as the Unit marched in parades, and his role as Commander of the Guard, serving at over 200 military funerals. With his lifelong passion for astronomy, Dean was a member of the Rochester Astronomy Club and spent many nights observing the stars. He really loved being outdoors and spent a good portion of his life planting trees, well over one million, and then working for Sodko. In his final years, he worked at Northern Engraving in Spring Grove. Dean married Betty Sundet at Trinity Lutheran Church on July 11, 1987. Their union was blessed by two loving children, Matthew and Laura. Survivors include his son Matthew and daughters Laura (Isaiah Heberlein) and Jennifer Bottke and granddaughters Lucy and Livi. He is also survived by his sister Cindy (CJ) and husband Charlie Huber and by his brothers Leighton (Joan) Kragness and Leonard “Sonny” Kragness and in-laws Marcia (Orel) Tollefson, Judy (Jeff) VonArx, Renee Wagner, Rick Sundet, Mary (Scott) Parsons, Jeff (Bonnie) Sundet, Kathy (Oscar) Rosendahl, and Karen (Mike) Folstad. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and many special cousins and friends. Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents, his brother, Larry and his wife Carole, sisters Lorraine Lager and Audrejean Myrah, brothers-in-law Corky Lager, Ed Myrah, and Richard Wagner, and nephews Robert Lager III, Steven and Jon Kragness. The funeral service with military rites will be held Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Pastor Lane Zaffke will officiate. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the Trinity Lutheran Church Sanctuary in Spring Grove. Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dean Marcellus Johnson

June 29, 1955 - September 1, 2022