Joseph Leroy "Joe" Johnson, 85, Minot, formerly of Roseglen, died Monday, April 27, 2015 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Joseph was born June 24, 1929 on the family farm in Amundsville Township of McLean County, North Dakota, the son of George and Thea (Flateland) Johnson. He grew up on the family farm and attended grade school at the Wright Township School. He graduated from Ryder High School in 1947 and entered into active duty service with the U.S. Navy in 1948. He was stationed at the Great Lakes Training Center and attended Electrical School there. He was then transferred to Norvolk, Va where he served on several smaller ships for a short time, before he was placed aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt until receiving his honorable discharge in June of 1952. He returned to the family farm to help his father, who was ill at the time.

Joe was united in marriage to Ellen Theusch on October 31, 1953 at Makoti. They purchased the family farm which was his father's homestead. They raised their five children there and lived on the homestead for 45 years, until moving to Garrison in 1998 and to Minot in April 2015. He was active in community affairs and the Roseglen American Legion. He served as the Roseglen Community Club President and Commander of the Roseglen American Legion Post #296. He was also a member of the Amundsville Township board, Ryder Farmers Union Elevator and McLean County Crop Improvement Board. For 24 years, he was the Area I director for McLean Electric. He was an avid antique collector of cars and tractors. Joe was a lifetime member of the Makoti Threshers Association.

Joe's loving family includes, wife of 61 years, Ellen Johnson, Minot; son, Greg (Sue) Johnson, Minot, and children: Lyndsi (Ty) Engstrom and daughter Alvi, Chad (Alicia) and children Brody and Chloe, Holly Johnson; daughter, Valerie (Bill) Kirk, Beulah, and children: Ryan (Katie), Kelly, and Kyle; son, Danny (Donna) Ames, IA, children: Jacob and Laura; son, Dwight (Patty) Johnson, Roseglen and children: Angie, Heather, Megan and Aaron; and son, Randy Johnson, Hazen; adopted son, Gary Webb, Philippines, several nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Throop, Judith Salatino, Manfred, Blenda Kolden, Leonard, George, and Glen.

Funeral service: Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Garrison.

Interment: Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Visitation : Wednesday from 2:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.