Alvin "Bud" Paul Johnson

Alvin “Bud” Johnson, age 95, of Oak Park, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, October 16, 2022.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 11 AM at Estes Brook Free Church.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Burial will follow in the Estes Brook Cemetery.

He spent nearly all of his life in this area and had a great impact on many lives. He was born to Emil and Hilda (Sjoblom) Johnson on March 29, 1927 at home on the family farm. He was the fourth of five children who were all taught to work hard and enjoy life and faith in God together. He attended Oak Park District 57 and Foley High School. He worked at the Oak Park Creamery from age 15 until 18, when he was drafted into the Army and served in Panama. After returning from the military, he moved to Rockford, Illinois to work at Rockford Products. In 1948, he married Elsie Ekberg and they had three children. In 1961, their family moved back to Minnesota and bought the Estes Brook General Store and Gas Station. He then added used car sales, Minnesota Equipment Sales, seed corn sales, and a fuel oil business. In addition to work, much of his time was spent at Estes Brook Free church, where he attended for 77 of the church's 100 year history. He raised his children to also have a good work ethic and, more importantly, to love the Lord. Music was also a big part of his life. He sang in a quartet called the "Fore Fathers" for many years. He encouraged his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to be involved in music. He attended nearly every musical concert and many other school events at Milaca Schools for over sixty years. He always said he had the best wife and family in the world.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Elsie Johnson;  three children, Sharon (Dave) Jamison of Foreston, Norris (Trudy) of Milaca, and Linda (Bruce) Henne of Salem, WI; eleven grandchildren, Sarah (Seth) Schreur, Abbey (Randy) Chall, Sean (Andrea) Jamison, Carrie (Matthew) Curran, Tracy (Luke) Shoemaker, Jenny (Kirk) Knudsen, Matt, Tim (Whitney), Christine Henne, Rachel (Luis) Rosales, and Laura (Jack) McKay, and also twenty great-grand children from ages five to twenty-two. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Hilda Johnson;  brothers, Kenny and Roland, and sisters, Verna Seagren and Ruby Johnson.