Lester Johnson

Lester T. Johnson, age 82 of Cottage Grove on April 7, 2012 at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood surrounded by family.

Funeral service will be 11 am Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the All Saint's Lutheran Church, 8100 Belden Blvd, Cottage Grove. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th Street S, Cottage Grove and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

Lester T. Johnson was born September 22, 1929 near Yankton, SD to the parents, Thorvald and Martha (Sorensen) Johnson. He entered active duty in the US Navy in 1951 during the Korean Conflict and was proud to serve his country. Lester was united in marriage to Lenore Snyder on August 13, 1952 in Norfolk, VA. He was a long time employee at the Koch Refinery in the boiler room and later worked in HVAC at Macalester College and Temperature Control Systems.

His hobbies included woodworking, woodcarving, camping, fishing and bird watching. He was a longtime member of the All Saint's Lutheran Church where he was active in several capacities. He and Lenore enjoyed travelling together and with friends. They also spent many winters in Texas.

He is survived by his children, Leslie Tianen, Cyndi (Mark) Zahn, Nancy (Wendell) Stone, David (Lynne) Johnson; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister, Phyllis (Tom) McShane; nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years; three sisters, Kay Philipps, Bernice Wiplinger and Lucille Edler and one brother Vernon Christensen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to All Saint's Lutheran Church.