Lester Gordon Johnson, 91, Minot and formerly of Ruso died on Sunday, June 24, 2012 in his home.

Lester was born on April 25, 1921 in Ruso, ND to John G. and Hilda (Olson) Johnson. He grew up on the family farm in Otis Township of McLean County near Ruso and was educated in Ruso. As a young adult he assisted on the family farm and served in the U.S. Army from July of 1942 until his honorable discharge on January 8, 1946. He returned to North Dakota and attended the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton where he received specialized training in auto body repair. He moved to Minot in 1947 where he was employed at Main Motors.

Lester married Leona Klimpel on January 30, 1949 in Minot. They made their home in Minot where he was employed at several auto dealerships as well as at Nybakken Body Shop for twelve years and as a civil service employee painter at Minot Air Force Base for ten years until his retirement in 1984. Lester and Leona had enjoyed the winter months in Oklahoma, Texas and Minnesota for many years.

Lester was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and as a Trustee, Elder and Sunday School Superintendent and joyfully sang in the church choir for 47 years. Also, he was a member of the Minot American Legion Post #26. He enjoyed reading a good book, his daily and weekly newspapers and putting jigsaw puzzles together in the long winter months. He especially enjoyed spring and summer months when he could spend time in his yard keeping the grass trimmed to perfection and planting and nurturing flowers to full bloom. He will always be remembered for his quick wit, snappy comebacks and lighthearted sense of humor.

Lester's loving family includes his wife of 63 years Leona; children: Susan Johnson and Lyle (Robin) Johnson both of Minot, Donna (Clarence) Hanson of Ruso, Judy (John) Beck of Rush City MN, Diane (Ed) Fager of Jenks, OK and Lowell (Ellen) Johnson of Houston TX; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; one great great grandson; siblings: Lloyd Johnson of Velva, Bernice Melom of Minneapolis and Norma Austriem of Williston and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Marvin Johnson and son-in-law: Robert Johnson.

Funeral Service : Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Mark's Lutheran Church Minot.
Graveside Service : Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in Sunset Memorial Gardens Minot.
Visitation : Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral home Minot.
Memorials are preferred to St. Mark's Lutheran Church or to the donor's choice.