Services for Elwood Johnson

Elwood Curtis Johnson, 93, of Bemidji, MN, peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Bemidji, MN.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, December 20, 2025 at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Elwood was born on November 8, 1932, in Leonard, MN, to parents Oral and Agnus Johnson. The eldest of ten siblings, he attended Clearbrook High School and graduated from Crookston MN ag. While attending school, he enlisted in the US Army as a radio operator during the Korean war. After Korea, he was employed by John Deere in Waterloo, IA. He went to Wahpeton, ND to train as an electrician, married Ardell Kirkvold, then relocated to Alaska where he worked as a union electrician for five years before returning to Bemidji after buying the car wash. He then returned to working as an electrician and retired at 65.

Elwood considered his family the most significant aspect of his life. He would do whatever it takes to assist them. The final family members to arrive were the residents and staff of VA Homes. He liked camping, preparing lutefisk for the initial Lutheran church meals, exploring, fishing, angling and spearing, hunting, gardening, attending auctions, gathering wild berries, and producing maple syrup. He held lifetime memberships in VFW, American Legion, Sons of Norway, and Minnesota Darkhouse and Angling Association.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Ardell, daughter Deanna (Dave) Mcollum, son Darrin (Tammy) Johnson, grandchildren JC Hamilton, Nicole and Taryn Johnson, great grandchildren Breyana Johnson, siblings Dennis (Marge) Johnson, Deloris Kosbau, Zelda McClellan, Celestine Omlid, Orlan (Lynn) Johnson, Corrine (Danny) Mohs, Gaylen (Carol) Johnson, and Lynette (Jim) Cook.