Norman Johnson

Norman Johnson passed away peacefully Monday April 8^th at Benedictine Nursing Home. He was 88 years old. He was born in Moose Lake Minnesota on July 4^th, 1935, to Dorothy and Elwood Johnson. He always delighted in mentioning that there was a parade and fireworks every year to celebrate!

He graduated from Dunwoody College in 1956 and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth Teacher’s College after that. He taught shop in Crandon, Wisconsin before returning to Duluth with his young family to pursue carpentry, architectural endeavors and contracting. Several projects of note that he was involved in include building of the Blatnik Bridge, general contractor for the St Mary’s Virginia Hospital, the Raddison Hotel, and The Bellows restaurant which he also designed.  Norm was an avid curler and was a proud member of the Duluth Curling Club, serving as president in the early 1990’s. He played many years on the Sammy’s Pizza Bocce league and was a member of the Duluth Elk’s Lodge number 133.

Norm was known to love spending time with family and friends telling stories and sharing laughs. Wonderful memories abound of loud, boisterous, laughter-filled holidays and amazing family vacations to South Padre Island, The Outer Banks of North Carolina, Walker and Madeline Island to name a few.

He was preceded in death by wife Mary (Gustafson) in 1976, wife of 40 years Sharon (Smith) in 2018, infant son Jeffrey, son Scott, son Gayle, and grandson Jeffery Higgins.

He is survived by sister Marilyn (Todd) Horness, daughter Wendy (Kimball) Higgins, son Brent (Gina Barnes) Johnson, daughter Julie Johnson, son Michael (Stacy) Johnson, daughter Paige (Tobbi) Stager, daughter-in-law Judy Marshal, grandchildren Benn (Ashley) Higgins, Kodty Barnes, Samantha (Geoff) Cannon-Johnson, Audrey Johnson, Claira Stager as well as many nieces, cousins and numerous extended family and friends.

A special thank you to the staff at Benedictine Living Community and Essentia Health Hospice Care.

Our Dad will be missed but we can find peace in a life well lived.

Services will be held at Dougherty Funeral Home on Friday May 10^th at 3 pm with visitation starting at 2 pm.

Please visit www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guestbook. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 East 2^nd St, Duluth MN 55805, 218-727-3555.