Randall Dennis Johnson

Remembering the life of Randall Dennis Johnson, 71, of Maplewood, MN who passed away peacefully and unexpectedly at home on Friday, November 6, 2020.  Randy was born on November 27, 1948 to Lovell and Sharon (Kitchen) Johnson in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in Lauderdale, Mounds View, and Roseville, MN, graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in 1966 and attended Bethel College for 2 years. When he dropped a French class, he was drafted into the Army in September 1970, but once the paperwork was complete, he was immediately transferred to the US Marines. Randy actively served until August 1972 and was stationed in Palm Springs, CA. He was honorably discharged in 1976. After serving, he returned to Roseville and was employed by Gopher Electronics in an office sales position. Randy met Karen at a Bible study in the summer of ‘73 and they were married on May 11, 1974. They lived in New Brighton and then Northeast Minneapolis where together they had 4 children, Michelle, Pamela (Jared) Wold, Benjamin (Sarah), and Stephanie (Ryan) Holt. Randy also worked at Charmilles Andrew Engineering and then was employed by Ecowater as a Senior Purchasing Agent. Before retirement, he worked at Lake Elmo Repair and helped with their Car Care program. At an early age, Randy loved the Lord. He was baptized with his Dad, Mom, brother and sisters in 1976 at Rosehill Alliance Church where he, his wife and kids attended until moving to Maplewood and attending Woodbury Baptist Church. He became a member of WBC in April 1992. Randy ran the sound system for many years, served on the Deacon and Trustee Boards, was the Treasurer, and sang in the choir. He was a frequent blood donor. He enjoyed cars, traveling, camping with the motorhome, reading, music (Elvis, Celtic Women, and old hymns to name a few), helping others, fixing and repairing anything and everything, trading stocks and eating banana popsicles. He loved to tease and joke with his family, including his kids, nieces, nephews, and grandkids. Randy truly loved his family, loved being a husband and Dad, and loved being a Grandpa to Rebecca Wold and Brandon Johnson. Preceding him in death were his parents, Lovell and J. Sharon (Kitchen) Johnson, and in-laws L. Wilton and Marian (Sandahl) Godel. Randy is survived by his wife Karen (Godel) Johnson, his children Michelle, Pam (Jared) Wold, Benjamin (Sarah), Stephanie (Ryan) Holt and grandchildren Rebecca Wold and Brandon Johnson, his sisters and brother, Drenda (Larry) Wendell, Kelvin (Julie), and Cheryl (Pete) Pentz, and in-laws Dean (Trish), Lowell (Judy), Laurel (Dawn), Patsy (Wayne) Nelson, Gary (Sue), Richard (Denise), Lewis (Vicki), and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Randy was much loved and will be truly missed. There will be a service for close friends and family at 12:00pm on Friday, November 13, 2020 at Woodbury Baptist Church, 6695 Upper Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125. Visitation begins at 11:00am, and a graveside service will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. The service will be live streamed and a link will be available. Food will not be provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that people instead donate to a charity for Veterans, such as Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org.