Clestine Harvey Johnson, 100

Published 12:36 pm Friday, June 6, 2025

Clestine Harvey Johnson, 100

Clestine Harvey Johnson, age 100, passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early hours, May 29, 2025, after having a pleasant evening with family in the home he himself built and lived in for 75 years. His self-diagnosed cause of death: “My body just plain wore out!”

Cles was born March 8, 1925, in Austin, MN, to Harvey A. Johnson and Bernice (Cleveland) Johnson. He was honored to celebrate his centennial birthday, surrounded by cherished friends and family.

Cles grew up on Lincoln Street on the south side of the current Roosevelt Bridge. He and the many other children of The Depression in the neighborhood usually amused themselves outside from morning until well into the evening, often just coming inside for dinner and supper. Sonny, as he was known when young, due to his snowy-white hair, delighted in his many pets, including a cantankerous retired Judas goat a family friend had gotten him from Hormel’s. The (Red) Cedar River, in which to fish, was behind his house. The heavily-wooded Driesner Park was across the bridge to explore and, as there was no garbage collection in those days, several neighborhood dumps were close by in which to scavenge and shoot rats.

Clestine attended Whittier Elementary and graduated from Austin Central High School. In 1942, his father, who had been raised on a farm, could no longer get supplies to build houses, as he had in the previous decade. He rented out their home in town and moved the family to a farm he bought north of the current JC Hormel Nature Center. Farm life brought few happy memories to the family. To create a basement allowing his dad to install a furnace, Clestine had to crawl under the house until he’d dug out enough dirt so that he could stand while he shoveled. There were ornery cows, an attack bull, and no indoor plumbing. They moved back to town in the fall of 1947. “I learned real quick: I was not cut out to be a farmer! The one bright spot was buying and riding my horse, Stardust.”

On May 5, 1946, Clestine was sitting on his 1934 Harley Davidson on Main Street, visiting with friends. Millie Kraft and two other girls came walking by to celebrate Millie’s 18^th birthday with a Coke at the Sweet Shop. Millie knew one of Cles’s friends and stopped to say hello. It was love at first sight for both Cles and Millie and he immediately made a date with her. They saw each other every day, marrying on September 4, 1948, at the (1^st United) Methodist Church.

The current 1^st United Methodist Church was an important constant in Clestine’s life from cradle to grave. He embraced the Wesleyan values and was dedicated to many of the sustaining functions of the congregation. The fellowship provided a moral compass to Cles and it’s where he developed most of his dearest friendships that were nurtured inside the church, as well as on dining, camping and entertainment outings. His 95^th birthday party was the last event held at the church before the COVID quarantine.

Cles had always enjoyed driving and he and the family took many road trips together. They visited at least 35 states, 3 Canadian provinces and Tijuana, Mexico. To stretch the dollars, they camped, first with a tent, often pulling the boat Cles had built in his basement behind their 1951 grey Plymouth Club Coupe. In the early 1960s, Cles built a pop-up camper to pull behind their 1959 Plymouth Suburban station wagon for the American Dream vacation to Disneyland. The Ozarks held a special place in Cles and Millie’s hearts. In later years, they tried to visit those mountains every spring and fall, often camping in their Holiday Rambler.

Cles appreciated his 37 years (1947-1983) of employment at Hormel’s. His time there was equally divided between being a truck driver and working as a welding repair mechanic 3^rd shift, so he could be home during the day if Millie needed him as her multiple sclerosis progressed.

When Millie died in 2007, Cles had to find a new purpose in life. He found it volunteering at the Mayo Clinic Health System – Austin for 13 years before the COVID quarantine. He felt there was value in the service he provided, and he hoped he was supportive of his co-workers and, perhaps, made the day a little brighter for the patients he helped. Being of service was what Cles expected of himself, so he was surprised and humbled to be named a Mower County Senior Volunteer. He just felt the need to do all the good he could.

Clestine served and was devoted to all of his family members his entire life. His family gratefully returned that devotion. Jerry, Sunnee, Julene and Krista considered it an honor and a privilege to be able to provide primary care to someone who had strived to give so much to so many for so long.

Cles was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred Gladys; son, Mark Clestine Johnson; granddaughter, Jillian Louise Flink; sisters, Crystale Bernice Johnson (in childhood) and LaDonna Charmaine Johnson; sister-in-law, Blanche (John) Newlin; aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

Cles is survived by his daughter, Sunnee (Jerry) Flink, Austin; granddaughters, Julene Flink, Austin and Krista (Troy) Heinz, Austin; great-grandsons, Tyler Heinz (Julialyn Shedd), Mason City, IA and Tanner Heinz, Austin; great-great-granddaughter, Alexandria Heinz, Mason City; great-great-grandson, Trenton Heinz, Mason City; cousin, Maynard (Judy) Johnson, Blooming Prairie, MN, and family; niece, Susan Newlin Sanderson (Steven), Sarasota, FL, and family; and many friends.

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21

A memorial service for Clestine will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin. Memorials are preferred to First United Methodist Church, Mower County Humane Society, JC Hormel Nature Center, or donor’s choice. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.