Dennis Johnson 11/04/2020

Lifelong New Richmond area resident and proud ‘northsider,’ Dennis ‘Denny’ Andre Johnson passed away peacefully at home November 4, 2020, one day before his 80th birthday.

He was born to Lyman and Cora Johnson, days before the famed Armistice Day blizzard of 1940, at his family’s New Richmond home, the youngest of three children. Denny attended St. Mary’s Catholic School as a young boy and remained a devout Catholic his entire life, remembering the prayers in Latin that he learned during his grade school years. Also, during this time, he survived a severe case of typhoid fever that left him bedridden and frail. Denny strengthened, eventually becoming a traditional three sport athlete at New Richmond High School, graduating in 1958. An excellent baseball catcher, Denny played for the New Richmond town team and received a minor league tryout with the Milwaukee Braves.

Denny received a better tryout and married the love of his life, Janice Kay Johnson, on June 22, 1963. They spent the next 57 years together as a happily married couple before she passed away unexpectedly on Labor Day of this year. They lived in two different homes on property that had been in Janice’s family possession for several generations. They had two children, Timothy and Amy.

In his early years of marriage, Denny worked as a machinist at Doboy Industries in New Richmond and attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis, MN. He honed his skills as a tool and die maker and worked at two Twin Cities locations in that role before starting his own business, Proto-Type Machine, in 1976. He would own and operate the business until his retirement in 2004. In December of 1995, Denny miraculously survived an accident where he lay trapped for five hours under a heavy piece of Bridgeport shop equipment. When first responders arrived he reportedly exclaimed, ‘I am the toughest S.O.B in St. Croix County!’ He not only survived, but doctors saved his legs and he would walk until his passing. His family never disputed his toughness.

Denny was active in youth sports as a basketball coach at St. Mary’s and later in local little league baseball. An active parent, he never missed a band, choir concert, piano recital, or sporting event his children participated in and was involved with the New Richmond Band Boosters. A lover of classic cars, he regretted selling his beloved 1956 Ford Thunderbird and worked for years, on and off, on his 1940 Ford Deluxe Sedan that remains unfinished. Most of all he prided himself in being Janice’s husband, never placing himself before her. He supported all her passions in life, including her horse farm.

Dennis is survived by his son, Timothy; daughter, Amy Olson (Nate); grandson, Tanner Olson; sister, Marlys Atter (John); and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyman and Cora Johnson; wife, Janice; and his brother, Lowell.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for any donations in his name go to St. Mary’s Catholic School in New Richmond.

His family also wishes to thank Adoray Hospice of Baldwin, WI for their incredible support during Denny’s final days. A Private Family Memorial Service was held on Thursday, November 12, 2020. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.