Melbourne L. Johnson

PETERSON, MINN. - Melbourne "Mel" L. Johnson, 74, of Peterson, Minn. died on Wednesday, July 29, at his home. Mel was born on June 9, 1935, in Ada, Minn. to Albert and Lillian (Lura) Johnson. He was raised on the West Coast of the United States and in Ada, Minn. He graduated from Ada High School. Mel served in the U.S. Navy as a Corpman, and was attached to the US Marines as Corpman. Following his active duty assignments he served in the U.S. Air Force as a reservist. Mel received his Associates Degree from Western Wisconsin Technical College in LaCrosse, Wis. and later received two Bachelor Degrees from Winona State University in Winona, Minn., one in Business Administration and the other in Human Resources. Mel married Jan Cirks. They had five daughters together and were later divorced. On July 14, 1984, Mel married Corinne (Blake) Braaten in Money Creek, Minn. He worked as a manager for JC Penney's Department Stores in Northwestern Minnesota. Mel was an insurance branch manager and a crop insurance adjuster in Minnesota and the Dakotas. He worked for 12 years as a Veterans Service Officer in Traill County North Dakota. Eight of those years he was the Secretary/ Treasurer of the North Dakota VSO Association. Mel spearheaded a, "For Those Who Serve" memorial in Hillsboro, North Dakota. He was the American Legion Commander in Hillsboro for four years. Mel was currently working as a part-time Veterans Service Officer for Fillmore County, Minn. He is survived by his wife Corinne; five daughters: Wanda (Mark) Kraemer of Montecello, Minn., Kris (Tim) Poehler of Ada, Minn., Terri Holtquist of Milbank, South Dakota, Shannon (Larry) Millerberd of Ortonville, Minn., and Melissa Ireland of Alexandria VA; five step-sons: Donald (Geri) Warrenburg of Rugby, North Dakota, Adam (Brenda) Warrenburg of Peterson, Minn., Mathew (Amanda) Warrenburg of Morris, Minn., Shane (Teresa) Braaten of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Delhon (Allison) Braaten of Preston, Minn.; 25 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and by one sister, Susan (Jack) Jensrud of Ada, Minn. Mel was preceded in death by his parents. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, at Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson, Minn. with the Rev. Ron Warnes officiating. There will be a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, at Grace Lutheran Church, in Ada, Minn. with burial following services at Petri Cemetery in Ada, Minn. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel in Rushford, Minn, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at Grace Lutheran Church, Peterson, Minn. Please leave a memory of Mel and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com
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