James Johnson

James T. Johnson, age 68, died Monday January 21st, 2013 from pancreatic cancer.

He was born October 18th, 1944 to Hannah and Ted Johnson of Grand Marais. He graduated from Cook County High School and attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN where he graduated in 1966 with a B.A. in Biology. After graduation he attended Northwestern University in Chicago, IL where he received a Masters Degree in Education. In 1967 he married Beverly Johnson (Olsen) also of Grand Marais and they moved to St. Louis Park, MN where he taught high school biology for 10 years. In 1977 Jim and family moved back to Grand Marais where he co-owned and operated Johnson Foods until 2002. In 2004 he was elected Cook County Commissioner of District 4. During his two terms as County Commissioner he gained enjoyment from serving District 4 constituents.

Jim is survived by his wife Bev; a son, Erik Johnson of San Diego, CA; a daughter, Karyn (Peter) Krahn of Eagan, MN; his mother-in-law, June Olsen of Grand Marais; four grandchildren, Noah Johnson, Virginia Johnson, August Krahn and Cora Krahn; an uncle, Paul (Ethel) Johnson; siblings Richard (Pat) Johnson, Beth Moulder, and Ralph (Jane) Johnson; a brother-in-law, Brian (Marcy) Olsen; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Services will be held on Thursday January 24, at 11:00 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marias, where he was a life-long member. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or the Chik-wauk Museum and Nature Center.