Douglas Lynn Johnson, age 70, of Grand Rapids, MN, went from the loving arms of his wife to the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Monday July 8, 2024, at VitaCare Living in Proctor, MN.

Douglas "Doug" was born May 24, 1954, in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota to Milburn and Eileen (Halvorson) Johnson. At the age of 13 months, Doug's mother passed away, so his father packed the children up and moved to Cranston, RI. He grew up in the church home where his mother's brother resided.  Doug attended church and school in Cranston and graduated from Cranston East High School. At a very young age Doug began working for the family landscaping business, Johnson Landscaping. He also worked for Lincoln Findings.

In 1981 Doug moved to Zion Harbor, on beautiful Leech Lake in Federal Dam, MN. He worked at the Christian Family Bible Camp, and it was there that he met his future wife, Naomi Putikka. Doug was united in marriage to Naomi on October 9, 1983, in Cranston, RI. They made their home in Grand Rapids, MN. They had one beautiful daughter, Melanie "Dolly" (as he would call her) whom he was so proud of and loved to the moon and back. Doug was blessed with four grandchildren and four "bonus" grandchildren.

Doug was a kind and gentle soul with a heart for God. He was a people person. Doug was very sociable and loved to introduce himself to everyone and had to know their story. He was a gentleman and would go out of his way to help anyone in need. He would not pass a Veteran without shaking their hand and thanking them for their service. Doug loved life and tried his best to make the most of the hand that he was dealt. He had many struggles throughout his life but faced them one day at a time, with his strong faith in God, knowing that his life on this earth was only temporary and that the best was yet to come….eternal life in Heaven with his Lord and Savior.

Doug is survived by his wife of 40 years, Naomi; daughter Melanie (AJ) Sorem of Grand Rapids, MN; son-in-law Jesse Smith of Deer River, MN; sisters Yvonne Palombo of Coventry, RI, Charlotte Lawson of Cranston, RI, Grace (Joseph) Taylor of Melrose, FL, Victoria Forbes of Virginia Beach, VA, Nancy (Richard) Ostrem of Huxley, IA, Rhonda (Michael) Bond of Crossville, TN, Diane Hage of Cleveland, TX; brothers Merrill (Janice) Johnson of Swansea, MA, Charles (Joanne) Johnson of Cranston, RI, Victor (Carmyn) Putikka of Minneapolis, MN, and John Putikka of Bethel, AK; numerous nieces and nephews; eight grandchildren Maddie O'Konek, Bryce Smith, Alex Smith, Kyler Smith, Kahlia Sorem, Aunna Nubson, Andrew Sorem, Jr., and Allie Sorem.  He was preceded in death by his parents Milburn and Eileen Johnson; brother Alan Johnson; father-in-law and mother-in-law Rev. Onni and Arlita Putikka.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First Church of God, Grand Rapids, MN with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 3:00 PM. Pastor Dale Steele will officiate. There will also be a service in Mann's Choice, PA during a family reunion in August 2024.