James Allen “Jim” Johnson, 82, of Austin, Minn. went home to the Lord Thursday evening, Oct. 29, 2009 at Austin Medical Center surrounded by his family.

He was born May 10, 1927 to John S. and Alma (Gordon) Johnson in rural Lyle, Minn. After graduating from Austin High School in 1945, Jim served from Aug., 1945 until 1947 in the Army where he was awarded the Victory Medal for Army Occupation of Germany. After an honorable discharge, he went to work for Geo. A. Hormel & Company and on May 15, 1948, married Avis LaVonne Leidall at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. To this union three children were born. A member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, VFW, American Legion and the Elks and Moose Lodge, Jim enjoyed sports and using the computer. He retired from Hormel on July 15, 1986 after 42 and 1/2 years. Jim and Avis moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. where he was a lifetime member of the DAV. They returned to Austin in 2006.

Survivors include his wife, Avis LaVonne; a daughter, Cindy Jensen of Austin; two sons, Greg Johnson (Paris Magee) of Minneapolis and Scott (Julie) Johnson of Austin; seven grandchildren, Michelle Jensen, Melissa Reimers, Matthew Johnson, Natalie Johnson, Haley Johnson, Hannah Johnson and Terri Wolfe; three great-grandchildren, C.J. Nord, Kendra Reimers, Karissa Reimers and one expected in January; sister, Lola Erickson of Austin; half brother, Norman (Ina) Gordon of Ukiah, Calif.; brother-in-law, Victor Bruce of Austin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alma and John Johnson; three sisters; one brother; four half brothers; two half sisters and a son-in-law, Kenwood Jensen.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Pastor Ron Barnett officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Worlein Funeral Home and at the church an hour prior to the service. Interment is at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lyle with military rites by VFW Post 1216 and American Legion Post 91. Memorials are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.