Rueben Johnson

Rueben E. Johnson, 90, of Grand Marais passed away July 5, 2012 at the North Shore Hospital and Care Center Hospice.

He was born July 1, 1922 to Ida (Siiro) and Edward Johnson in a Finnish log home in the settlement of Ronald, in Aitkin County MN. His parents died when he was young and he went to live with his aunt and uncle Selma and Bert Magnussen in Duluth. After graduating from Denfeld High School, Rueben worked as an overhead crane operator at the steel plant in West Duluth.

Rueben had a wandering spirit and began "riding the rails," enjoying the hobo life and working when necessary. He worked as a gandy dancer on the railroads, in underground mines in Butte, Montana, and as a logger in Northeastern Minnesota. After retiring from logging, Rueben worked at Buck's Hardware in Grand Marais.

Rueben was a World War II veteran having served in the Merchant Marines in the South Pacific from December 1943 to August 1944.

He is survived by a sister Mary Norrgard of Hinckley; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; special friends: Jim and Joan Hall and family of Lutsen, Sarah Klingsporn, Debi LaMusga, and his extended family at Buck's Hardware in Grand Marais.

Rueben will be remembered by many people for his kindness, quick sense of humor, and smile.

Graveside services will be held at 2 PM, Sunday, July 22, 2012 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Grand Marais.