Kip Johnson, 56, of Stewartville, Minnesota, died Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, following a brief illness.

Kip Edwin Johnson was born on Nov. 16, 1962, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Darryl and Mary Ann (Swanson) of Grand Meadow, Minnesota. He grew up in Grand Meadow and graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1981. As a teenager, he began working at Andy’s Electric in Grand Meadow and continued there for a number of years, learning how to repair and rebuild starters and alternators for autos, farm and industrial equipment.

Kip was married to Jacquelyn M. Barrett on June 30, 1990, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Following their marriage, they lived in Stewartville for a few years before moving to Grand Meadow in 1992 with their daughter, Stacy. In 2002, they returned to Stewartville, where they have continued to make their home Kip was the owner/operator of Johnson Auto Electric for over 20 years, continuing to repair and rebuild starters and alternators for a wide range of customers all over Southeast Minnesota. Kip shared the shop with Richard Jensen, whom he held in high regard. It wasn’t unusual for Kip to get emergency calls at all hours and to work on weekends and holidays. His knowledge and experience will be greatly missed.

Kip enjoyed working on his many projects in his garage, from rebuilding engines to building a street hot rod. He was a member of the National Hot Rod Association. He was a Ford man who enjoyed driving his 2008 customized Mustang and occasionally would let Jackie and Stacy take it for a spin. Kip enjoyed visiting with neighbors, customers and friends. He loved time spent with his family, especially his granddaughters.

Kip is survived by his wife, Jackie; daughter, Stacy (Jason) Cooper; granddaughters, Paige and Meghan Cooper; parents, Darryl and Mary Ann Johnson of Grand Meadow; sister, Jonalle (Steve) Sauer; two brothers, Curt (Diane) Johnson and Terry Johnson (Sara Senjem); six sisters-in-law, Pat Jordan, Rose Scrabeck, Peggy Barrett, Kathy (John) Heibel, Sandy (Steve) Ristau and Trudy Barrett; four brothers-in-law, Bill (Marcia) Barrett, Jim Barrett, Don (Julie) Barrett and Dave (Tammy Fetsch); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; father and mother-in-law, Don and Bette Barrett; sister–in-law, Marlys Barrett; and brothers-in-law, John Barrett and Larry Scrabeck.   

A celebration of life will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at the Stewartville American Legion. A private family burial will take place at St. Ligouri Cemetery in rural Greenleafton, Minnesota. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Online condolences and memories of Kip are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.