Rayden Johnson

Rayden Allard Johnson was born April 2, 1926, in Hawk Creek Township, the son of Randolph & Anna (Berg) Johnson. He was baptized on July 7, 1926, at the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls. Following his schooling he worked as a mechanic in the Ford Dealership in Granite Falls. Rayden served his country in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in March of 1946. Rayden was united in marriage to June McCartney on December 9, 1949, in Granite Falls. He put the skills he learned in the military to work for him and became a crane operator until his retirement. Rayden did not enjoy retirement and was very happy when Ron Fagen employed him in the shop at Fagen Inc. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 49 and a member of the Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Rayden passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2009, at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his children: Craig Johnson of Minneapolis and Pauline Peterson of Granite Falls; two grandchildren: Anna Johnson of Minneapolis and Ryan Peterson who is currently stationed overseas; three sisters Marcella Schick of Olivia, Delores Schmidt of St. Cloud and Phyllis Julian of Jackson; and one brother Dennis of Texas; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife June in 2008; his brother Arvid Johnson and his sisters Norma Johnson, Dorothy Johnson and Sylvia Iverson.