Wayne A. Johnson, 78, longtime Minot resident and businessman passed away October 2, 2017 in a Minot hospital with his family at his side from an apparent heart attack.

Wayne was born on May 27, 1939 in Rugby, ND to Axel and Audrey (Frank) Johnson. In his early years he grew up in many small towns living in train depots because his father, Axel, was a depot agent for the Great Northern Railroad. This is where Wayne's love for trains would start. The last depot he lived in was in Glenburn, ND and this is where he would spend the rest of his school years until he graduated as Valedictorian of his class in 1957. After graduating, Wayne attended Minot State Teachers College for the next two years until he enlisted in the United States Army. His career in the army started in Alabama for a brief time and ended with an honorable discharge after spending three years as a munitions expert in Germany.

After returning to N.D. he met the love of his life, Sharon Heilman, and they were married on January 2, 1965 in Rugby, North Dakota. They made their home in Minot where Wayne started his new career selling advertising for the Minot Daily News. Wayne and Sharon were blessed with two wonderful children, Craig and Michelle. Not too long after their births, Wayne would start his business career with his brother Jim, when they purchased Vanguard Photography in Kenmare, ND. Four years later he and Jim would purchase Elite Studio of Photography in Minot and only four years after that they would build a new studio in south Minot. Soon after, they started Dakota Color Labs, where Wayne worked until his retirement in 2000. Along the way other business ventures included the purchase of Slorby Studio and the Photo Company.

After his retirement, Wayne became the right and left hand man of his wife, Sharon, at Interiors Plus where he unpacked, set-up and moved furniture around the store. He also accepted freight and unloaded countless shipments of merchandise.

Wayne had many hobbies including a large collection of railroad memorabilia along with an extensive set-up of model trains. He was also an avid collector of old photographs of Minot and the surrounding area. Many of the pictures have and still do adorn the walls of many restaurants and businesses in the Minot area. His summers were spent at Rice Lake where he and Sharon enjoyed relaxing and spending time with the kids and grandkids.

Wayne was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church where he served on many church councils and was an usher. He was also a past member of the Professional Photographers Association of America and the Model Railroaders Association of America. He served on the Board of Directors for the Rice Lake Association for many years.

Wayne's loving family includes his wife of 52 years: Sharon; children: Craig (Paula) Johnson, Minot and Michelle (Brett) Johnson, Mooreton, ND; brother: James Johnson (special friend Rita Kopp), Minot and Jim's daughter, Jennifer of Salem, OR; grandchildren: Alissa Johnson (fianc Blake Sherven), Alec Johnson, Mya Johnson (special friend Matt Hanson) and McKaya Johnson; great grandson: Jaxton Hanson; sisters-in-law: Marge Heilman, Rugby, Rita Argersinger, Bernadette (David) Price and Anita Posey, all of Colorado; Brother-in-law: Ron (Dianne) Heilman, Bottineau and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Audrey Johnson, father- and mother-in-law: Wendell and Margaret Heilman, sister-in-law: Kathleen Johnson and brothers-in-law: Richard Heilman, Robert Heilman and Michael Argersinger.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, October 6, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Visitation: Thursday, October 5, 2017 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry or the American Red Cross.