Johan Fredrick Johnson

Johan Fredrick Johnson, 76, died June 10, 2010, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage due to complications from a heart attack.

He was born March 22, 1934, in Duluth, Minn., but was a longtime Valley resident and arrived in Palmer in May 1935 with his parents, Johan A. and Irene Johnson, as part of the Matanuska Valley Colonist program.

The family homestead was in the Wasilla area on what is now Fairview Loop Road.

Called Joe by his family and friends, he was particularly proud to be the first child baptized at St. John Lutheran Church on July 10, 1935. He was scheduled to ride on the St. John Lutheran Church float in the Colony Days Parade wearing a specially designed sash that identified him as the first infant baptized in the new congregation.

Joe graduated from Wasilla High School in 1953 and joined the Army later that year. He served at Ft. Richardson from December 1953 to December 1955. After leaving the military, he worked at the Matanuska Maid Co-op for a year before being hired by the Alaska Territorial Railroad in 1956. He worked there until he retired in 1989.

Joe spent his last years living at the Pioneer Home and will always be remembered for his sunny smile and easygoing nature. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church for his entire life and enjoyed time spent with his family and friends. His hobbies were watching sporting events on TV, reading current events magazines, watching movies and doing word searches.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Johan and Irene, and brother, Donald.

He is survived by his brother Maurice (wife Karen), sister-in-law Pauline and her husband Ed Kenyon, Uncle Les and Aunt Berneice Kelm of Anchorage, nephews Arthur Johnson (Nikki), Dennis Johnson (Carol), Erik Johnson (Kelly), all living in Alaska, and niece, Barbara (Michael) Bryne of Arizona, many cousins and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church on Friday. Visitation is at 10 a.m. with the liturgical service following at 11 a.m. Pastor Jonathan Rockey will officiate.

Joe will be buried (with military honors) at the Valley Memorial Park in the Butte, next to his mother (Mile 12.8 Old Glenn Highway.) Pallbearers will include Arthur Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Erik Johnson, Michael Sweeney, Colten Beemer and Michael Donn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 774, Palmer, AK 99645.