Lee Arnold Johnson, 68, of Akeley, MN, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Lee was born in Park Rapids, MN, on December 28, 1955, to Nels and Bonna Belle (Newton) Johnson. He grew up in Akeley and graduated from Akeley High School in 1974. In 1975, he attended Detroit Lakes Technical College and graduated with a degree in Auto Body. Lee started working as an Auto Body Technician at Poppenhegen in Audubon, MN in 1976. During this time, he started dating a long-time friend, Denice Ann Buck. He fell in love with Denice and her 3-year-old daughter Tina Lee, and on January 1, 1977, they were married for the first time. (They loved each other so much that they decided to get married again in 1999!) In 1978, he started working at Ah-Gwah-Ching State Nursing Home as a Dietary Aide, later becoming a certified Human Services Technician. Lee and Denice welcomed their daughter Sebrina Jean into the world on January 18, 1979 and their son Jared Nels on January 11, 1982. Lee continued to work at Ah-Gwah-Ching until July 2000. He then had the pleasure of running “Grandpa’s Daycare” for 5 years before returning to the workforce at Northern Lights Casino, where he worked from 2005 – 2020, when he retired. Following graduation, Lee joined the Akeley Volunteer Fire Department and was instrumental in building it into what it is today, the Eastern Hubbard County Fire Department. He became the Fire Chief in 1988 and remained in that position until 2019, when he retired after 45 years of dedicated service. He continued working as the Assistant Gambling Manager. He was also a founding member of the Akeley 1 st Response. The fire department was his passion, and he worked tirelessly to improve it. Many holidays and family gatherings were interrupted by calls to respond to fires and medical calls. He never hesitated to help others in their time of need. He was always 100% committed to the community. He received numerous awards and recognition from both his employers and the community for his continual service to others.
Lee loved hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and Vikings football. He was a talented musician, playing the drums with many local bands. He enjoyed grilling for family gatherings and was an excellent cook. He also enjoyed campfires and cocktails with family and friends. Lee was a loving husband, proud Dad, and beloved Grandpa. He attended many school functions and sporting events. Grandpa’s lap was always the most coveted seat in the house, no matter how old the grandkids got! He is so loved and will be greatly missed.
Lee is survived by his wife Denice Johnson; daughters Tina (Mike Muller) Ericson and Sebrina (Troy) Hegg; bonus daughters, Shannah (Jon) Geimer, Heather (Josh Birkeland) Moore; grandchildren, Sierra (Jon Ceccato) Monroe, Morgan Monroe, Taylor Monroe, Ashley (Tony Phillips) Johnson, Bryanna (Austin Engel) Hegg, Chase Hegg, Devin Johnson, Victoria Greenway, Reilly Nagel, Carolynn Geimer, Chloe Geimer; great- grandchildren, Raylan Stanley, Zander Hegg and Cletus 2.0 arriving soon; sister, Bonnie (George) Lueck; sister-in-law Gloria Johnson; In-laws Cina (Duane) Pidde, Gina Deneau, Bob (Luanne) Buck, Larry (Missy) Buck, Uncle Jack Galvin; best friend Stan Batkiewicz and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Nels A. Johnson and Bonna Belle Lennberg; step-dad, Harry Lennberg; son, Jared N. Johnson; daughter, Tricia Johnson; brothers, Jerry Johnson and Otto Lennberg; sister, Joan Gustad; grandson, Jordon Hegg; In-laws, Bob and Beverly Buck Sr.; brother-in-law, Perry Deneau; nephews, Mark Johnson, Eric Heinonen, and Shane Dunham.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 12:00 PM at the First Lutheran Church in Akeley, MN. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Nevis, MN, and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be held at Akeley City Cemetery – Akeley, MN. Pastor Maribeth McGoven will be the Officiant. Luncheon to follow at the church.
Arrangements by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids and Nevis, MN.
