Kenneth "Ken" Johnson

About Ken

Kenneth “Ken” Johnson, 77, of Cornerstone Nursing and Rehab Center in Bagley, MN, and formerly of Pinewood, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Sanford Bagley Medical Center.

Born on September 30, 1947, to Helmer and Inga (Diseth) Johnson, Ken grew up in the Pinewood area. He attended Pinewood Elementary School and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1965.

Ken lived and worked most of his life on the Johnson family farm near Pinewood. He ran the family farms in Pinewood, Minnesota and Culbertson, Montana; making regular trips to the Montana family farm for many years. Later, Ken transitioned from farming to logging, teaming up with his cousin Pete Diseth and logged under J & D Logging. Ken spent his last five years working at Walmart in Bemidji before retiring.

Ken took great pride in managing the Pinewood Dodge Cemetery, a position he held from 1968 to 2022.

In his free time, Ken loved cooking and baking, and he was known for being a great cook. He also enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and had a good time trying his luck at the casino. Known for being a man of few words, Ken would often answer questions with his signature phrase: "Not too bad." Whether he was asked about dinner, the weather, or how he felt, his answer was always the same.

Ken is survived by his sister Peggy (Larry) Ihde of Andover; sister-in-law Linda Johnson of Pinewood; nephew Mike (Shannon) Johnson of Pinewood; nieces Connie (Aaron) Larson of Anoka; Janelle (Eric) Hesse of Maple Grove, and Renae (Kyle) Dunn of Rogers; his cousin, friend, and long-time logging partner Pete Diseth of Leonard; as well as many great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Inga (Diseth) Johnson, and his brother, Robert (Bob) Johnson.

memorial service

Memorial Service for Ken

February 10, 2025

Cease Family Funeral Home 407 Getchell Ave NE, Bagley, MN 56621, USA

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in the spring at Pinewood Dodge Cemetery.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home