Vincent William Johnson, 87, Minot, formerly of Rolla, died Thursday, March 15, 2012 in a Minot Hospital.

Vincent was born September 2, 1924 in Rolette, ND, the son of Viggo and Laura (Laursen) Johnson. Proud of his Danish heritage with grandfather and grandmother Johnson and his mother emigrating from Denmark. He was raised and educated in Maryville Township before the family moved to Minot in 1939. The family owned and operated a grocery store and gas station in Minot called South Hill Service.

During his younger years, Vincent was employed at Pete's Delivery and Winston-Newell Grocery locally. He entered into active duty service with the U.S. Army on January 11, 1944 and honorably served his country during World War II. He was accorded the Purple Heart and was discharged from active duty on January 11, 1946 marrying Eunice Olson on January 27, 1946. They made their home in Minot, where he was employed at Oppen\'s Grocery, Hancock Motors, Fargo Glass, Tweten's Glass Center (later Dakota Plate Glass), and Anderson Paint and Glass all of Minot. He established and built the KOA Campgrounds in 1965. He retired in 1983.

He was raised as a member of the The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses and had a private relationship with God. Vince loved visiting, road trips of any kind spending 18 years RVing in the winter, many rides in the country, cooking, baking, repairing things and planting trees. Just about any small child would climb up on his lap, the last to do so was great-great granddaughter Makenna.

His loving family includes, daughter, Pamela Orth, Minot; granddaughter, Angela (Lee) Marten, Palmer, Alaska and great-grandchild, Benjamin (Kylie) Marten , step-great-grandchildren Kaylie Marten, her daughter Makenna, Tyler (Heather) Marten and his family, step grandchildren David (Rhonda) Orth, their daughters Gwen and Shelby and Tanya (Greg) Cunningham and their daughter Hannah. Special nieces Teryl (Ollie) Trautwein and family, Linda Schreifels and her family. Sister-in-law Ruby Mogard. Many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Vincent was preceded in death by wife, Eunice August 2010, two infant sons, his parents and a sister, Dorothy and her husband Arnold Tweten.

C elebration of Life Service: Friday, March 23, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Interment: Norwich Lutheran Cemetery

Visitation : At the request of the family, there will not be any reviewal, however friends may sign the memorial register book on Thursday, March 22, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to DAV.org or secondstoryclub.com