Obituary of George Arthur Johnson

George Arthur “Art” Johnson passed away on Sunday, January 19 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. He was 91.

Art was born on June 4, 1928 in New York Mills, MN, the firstborn of George and Alma Johnson. He was followed thereafter by sister Doris Solem (deceased 1991), Les Johnson (deceased 2012), and Brenda Biddle (Canonsburg, PA).

In 1953, he married Mary Howard in Garland, NC. Together they had three sons, Greg (Mary), Brad and Phillip, as well as grandchildren Sharon (Clayton) Gilleland and Kara Johnson. He is survived by all children and grandchildren. Mary passed in 1992.

Art served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years, receiving his high school diploma early to enlist, attaining the rank of sergeant, being commissioned and eventually attaining the rank of captain. He served throughout Asia at the end of World War II and in the Korean Conflict. He then received his B.S. from Montana State University and an M.Ed. from the University of MN. Throughout his civilian career, Art taught at UMD and worked for the city of Duluth. For two years, the family moved to Seoul, Korea where Art was employed with the State Department. He eventually retired from Moose Lake Regional Treatment Center in 1991.

Art was a proud Finn, often carrying around his Suomi Sisu mug of coffee and casually speaking Finn with those visitors to Duluth. Besides family, he also leaves behind many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday January 25 at 10 am at Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth, with a visitation beginning one hour prior.