Lavern L. Johnson

Heaven Got One Heck of An AngelTitled by daughter Kristen Rev. Lavern L. Johnson, 68, of Battle Lake, MN and formerly of St. Charles, died Sunday, November 6th, 2011, in the Intensive Care Unit of St Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota, after a seven year battle with cancer. Lavern was born in Tracy, Minnesota, October 23, 1943, to Burch and Donna (Galbraith) Johnson. Lavern graduated from Minneota High School in 1961 and graduated from Westmar College, Le Mars, Iowa, 1965, with a Bachlors of Arts degree in Religion and History. Three years later he graduated from Evangelical Theological Seminary, Naperville, Illinois with a Masters of Divinity with honors. Lavern met his life's soul-mate, Sharon, at Westmar College. June 11, 1966; they were married in the United Methodist Church, Markesan, Wisconsin.Lavern faithfully served United Methodist Churches in Minnesota for 40 years of active ministry. He felt privileged to serve the following parishes: Odessa/Correll, Clarissa/Eagle Bend/Clotho, Breckenridge/Foxhome, Hutchinson Bethlehem, Buffalo, Eyota/Elgin, Elgin/Plainview in which 2 congregations merged together and built a new church called Peace Church (located between Elgin and Plainview) under his leadership. Lavern was very gifted in preaching and public speaking weaving humor, Scripture, and life application together to inspire, uplift, and challenge God's people. July 1, 2003, Lavern retired to be a co-caregiver for his daughter Leah, battling cancer. Approximately a year after retirement, Lavern was diagnosed with Mantle Cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.Lavern loved being with his family, grandchildren, and friends, life in the ministry, as well as, fishing, relaxing at the lake or in Florida, wood-working, and traveling. He could also fix or create about anything and building. Lavern loved life, lived life to the fullest, and with a cup half full--in spite of the most adverse circumstances...losing a 3 year old daughter to cancer, almost losing his oldest son in a three-wheeler accident and youngest daughter battling cancer, to launch his most difficult battle of all. Lavern is preceded in death by a daughter Michelle, his parents and one brother, Lowell.Survivors include his wife the Reverend Sharon Johnson of Battle Lake, MN, four children; Michael (Michelle) Johnson of Faribault, Kristen (Dan Smith) Johnson of St. Charles, Leah (Matt) Arnold of Burnsville, Justin Johnson of Bonnita Springs, Florida, five grandchildren: Shawn, Nathan, Chase, Kasey, Nicholas; four brothers: Loren, Lanny, Lester and Locky; one sister Lenora and a brother-in-law David (Betty) Fox.Services to Celebrate Lavern's life will be 2 PM Saturday November 12th at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls, MN with Bishop Sally Dyck officiating. Friends may call on Wednesday, November 9th at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in St. Charles from 5-8PM with a time of remembrance at 7:30PM. Friends may also call at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls from 5-8PM Friday November 11th.Please share a memory of Lavern on-line and view his Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/259365