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Alfred E. Johnson • 1919 - 2005 Alfred E. Johnson, 85, Kenmare, ND, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 28, 2005, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. Alfred Edwin Johnson was born in a blinding blizzard at Coteau, ND., on November 3, 1919, to Albert and Selma (Erickson) Johnson. Alfred moved with his family to Greenville, PA, when he was three years old. Upon the tragic death of his father when he was 12 years old, the family moved back to North Dakota in June 1931. He was educated at Shenango Elementary and Penn High School in Pennsylvania and later at Kenmare schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on January 26, 1942, serving four years during World War II with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Area. He received two Purple Hearts, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Asia Occupation Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He held the rank of corporal when he was honorably discharged on January 25, 1946. Alfred married Alta Torkelson on June 27, 1948, in Kenmare. They made their home in Kenmare, where he worked as a carpenter with his friend and brother-in-law, Russel Torkelson. He was a charter member of the Faith Baptist Church in Kenmare, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Awana leader. He was also an active member of the Tri-County and Minot Gideons International. Alfred loved fishing with his daughters and later his grandchildren, hunting, reading, and was writing a book with his daughter, Joette. He enjoyed traveling, and had visited Mexico, Venezuela, Pakistan, and India. His greatest passion in life was his service to the Lord. Surviving family includes: wife of 56 years, Alta Eudora, of Kenmare; daughters, Joette Ilene (Charles) Whims, of San Bernadino, CA, Patti Marie (Ronald) Beck, of Tioga, ND, Virginia Ann (David) Bruns, of West Fargo, ND, Melody Lane (Bob) Hunskor, of Stewartville, MN, Roxanne Ruth (Mark) Enget, of Aurora, CO; and honorary daughter, Margaret Marie (Loren) Zimmer, of Kenmare; grandchildren, Melody (Chad) Heppner, Gavin Whims, and Robert Whims, Julie, James, Jill, and Jonathan Beck and his fiancee, Trisha Slaamot, Brooke, Kristina, Kimberly, and Daniel Bruns, Caleb, and Micah Hunskor, and Ashley, Brittani, and Charissa Enget; sister, Gladys Alberta (Carl) Berg, of Brooklyn Center, MN; brother, Maynard Penn (Thelma) Johnson, of Palm Bay, FL; two sisters-in-law, Aurene Johnson, of Kenmare; and Thelma Mayer, of San Diego, CA; two brothers-in-law, Russel (Ruth) Torkelson, of Kenmare, and Hartley Walters, of Detroit Lakes, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Alfred was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Alfred Edwin Johnson, Jr., sisters, Irene Walters, and Helen Wiegner; and brother, Arthur Johnson. Funeral service: Friday, March 4, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, Kenmare. Interment: Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare. Visitation: Thursday, March 5, 2005, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare.
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