Kenneth Allan Johnson

Kenneth Allan Johnson, age 86, of Bemidji, MN died peacefully Sunday, June 29, 2025 at Sanford Fargo Medical Center.
Ken was born December 27, 1938 in Albert Lea, MN, the son of Henry and Clara (Christianson) Johnson. He was raised and educated in Albert Lea. Ken was a humble, soft-spoken man. He was a Teacher at Heart in every sense of the word. He taught at Lincoln Elementary in Bemidji for 33 years, most of them as a 4th Grade teacher. He enjoyed introducing floor hockey to his students and was widely known on the Lincoln school playground for his 4-square rules. He was also the high-jumping specialist as he prepared students for the annual field day competition.
Ken was an avid outdoorsman his entire life. He fished for crappies in Lake Albert Lea and enjoyed bow-fishing for Carp and Gar in his youth. He bagged his first Black Bear with a fiberglass longbow as a 17-year old while on a purported “Fishing Trip” up North near the Boundary Waters. His Mom was quite surprised with the “Catch!” He continued to expand and develop his hunting and fishing skills after moving to Bemidji to start his teaching career.
He married Evelyn Meemken on August 6, 1983 in Bemidji. He was an archery hunter for whitetail deer and elk most of his adult life including annual elk-hunting trips out West with Evie and many friends and family.
Ken was a passionate sports enthusiast with a special place in his heart for hockey. He played for the Albert Lea city team and continued playing with the old-timers after settling in Bemidji. He later served as a youth hockey coach in Bemidji for many years including as a Head Coach for highly successful PeeWee and Bantam traveling teams. He truly enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren play the game he loved. He was a huge fan of Bemidji Youth Hockey, Bemidji High Hockey, BSU Hockey, the Minnesota North Stars and the Minnesota Wild. Ken also enjoyed golfing. Over the years he was a member at Blackduck, Bagley, Castle Highlands and Sandtrap golf courses.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn of Bemidji.
Sons Gary (Vicky) and Mike (Sheila) Grandchildren Ashley (John) Holmgren, Josie (Evan) Liebe, Michaela, Claire, Annika, Brooks and great grandchildren Braelyn, and Brynlee and Stepdaughters Roxane Byer, Rhonda (Jerry) Denton and Renee (Dennis) Smothers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 sisters and 4 brothers.
Memorial Services were Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Bemidji in which he was a member for over 56 years under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji.
ADVERTISEMENT