Ralph Dean Johnson

Ralph died April 12, 2022, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Ralph Dean Johnson, son of Ralph G. and Elva (Wenger) Johnson was born June 12, 1931, at Aberdeen, SD. He grew up on the family farm southeast of Columbia, SD graduating from Columbia High School with the class of 1949. He entered the United States Navy January 4, 1951, serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a engineman 1st Class, serving on the USS LSMR-403. He was honorably discharged November 29, 1954, at Long Beach, CA. He returned to South Dakota and attended Northern State Teachers College, earning his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.

Ralph was united in marriage to Janice Spencer on June 1, 1956, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Westport, SD. Ralph began work in 1961 at Northern State Teachers College, and in 1964, it became Northern State College. He was the Director of the Physical Plant, retiring in 1987.

Woodworking and carpentry was a fulfilling pastime which he had been doing for years. He also enjoyed vegetable gardening at the farm and in the community gardens in Aberdeen.

Ralph was a member of Roy L. Hall American Legion Post #58 of Columbia and a former member of the Woodworker’s Guild.

Grateful for having shared Ralph’s life are his wife, Janice of 65 years, Janice, children, Terri (Craig) Carlson of Sioux Falls, SD, Alan Johnson and Ralph G. Johnson, both of Columbia, SD and Brenda (Dave) VanTussenbroek of Peoria, AZ; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and brother, Joe Johnson of St. George, UT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Clare and Robert and sisters, Ally Johnson, Ruth Daly and Mary Weismantel.