Obituary of C. Ellsworth Johnson

C. Ellsworth Johnson, 88, of Cambridge, formerly of Stanchfield passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

            Charles Ellsworth Johnson was born on July 5, 1930 in Springvale Township, MN to Carl and Alma (Swanson) Johnson.  Ellsworth grew up in Springvale.  He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church of Dalbo.  He attended District #44 Country School and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1948.  Ellsworth worked for a time at the Dalbo Creamery and later in Minneapolis.

            He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 19, 1951 and was in the 82^nd Airborne.  He was honorably discharged on March 18, 1954.  Upon returning home from the Army, he helped his brother Wallace operate the family farm.

            On July 23, 1955 he was united in marriage to Julie Geselius at Salem Lutheran Church in Dalbo.  They made their home on the family farm and was there that they raised their four children.  Ellsworth spent his life as a hard-working dairy farmer.  In 1985 he and his brother Wallace sold the dairy operation but continued the other areas of farming until 1996 when Ellsworth retired.  He loved farming so much that, even after retiring he continued to help out around the farm up until just over 3 years ago.

            Ellsworth was a longtime member of Salem Lutheran Church of Dalbo, and for the past 22 years was a member of Karmel Covenant Church.  He served on the church council at Salem and Karmel, he was a member of the Cambridge School Board for 10 years, was county commissioner and was a member of the Cambridge American Legion Post #290.

            He enjoyed farming, watching his grandchildren play sports, loved having a meticulous lawn and kept his own yard up until age 87.  Ellsworth was a man of integrity, gentle and kind, who especially loved his wife Julie. He loved to make people laugh with his dry sense of humor.

            Ellsworth was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wallace, sisters Jeanette Johnson and Eunice Borgstrom.  He is survived by his wife of over 63 years Julie, children Brad (Pam) Johnson of Las Vegas, NV, Brian (Diane) Johnson of Cambridge, Kris (Rich) Reynertson of Alpharetta, GA, Karla (Dave) Ramberg of Stanchfield, 9 grandchildren; Adam (Ashley) Johnson, Jessica (Bryan) Stem, Aaron Johnson, Brittany Reynertson, Joe (Mackenzie) Ramberg, Matt Reynertson, Kari (Jeremy) Lindstrom, Jenna Ramberg and Michael Johnson, 4 great grandchildren; Austin and Ari Johnson, Dalia Stem and Riley Ramberg, brother Wendell (Laurel) Johnson of Cambridge, sister in law Karyn (Ron) Anderson, brothers-in-law John (June) Geselius, and Chuck (Pat) Geselius, as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM, Friday, November 2, 2018 at Karmel Covenant Church.  Visitation will be 4-7 PM, Thursday at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. 

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