John "Jack" E. Johnson

John Edward “Jack” Johnson, age 82, passed away on February 6, 2022 of congestive heart
disease. Jack was born May 11, 1939 in Saint Paul, MN to Gunnar and Katherine Johnson.
After graduating from Minnehaha Academy in 1957, he graduated with Bachelor’s degrees in
Mechanical Engineering and in Business in 1962 and a Masters of Science in Industrial
Engineering in 1963 from the University of Minnesota. While at U of M, he met Arlene Oberg,
whom he married shortly after graduation. Arlene and Jack celebrated their 58th anniversary in
2021.

As an engineer, Jack worked for several companies, beginning with Bendix in South Bend, then
American Hoist and Derrick in St. Paul, AY McDonald in Dubuque, FMC in Chicago, and Unisys
in Minneapolis. He finished his career with NSP (now Xcel) at the Prairie Island Power Plant
from which he retired in 1998. Jack was a dedicated father, attending many of his daughters’
sports competitions and recitals. He was an active member of the Lion’s Club in Plymouth and
also a member of Mensa, Masons, and Sons of Norway. Jack was an avid motorcycle rider
through which he had many friends. He loved to travel, visiting 48 of the 50 states in auto trips
with his wife and daughters and in motorcycle trips with his riding friends. The entire family
traveled to Sweden and Norway to visit the family homeland, inspiring an interest in genealogy.
After his retirement, he and Arlene traveled throughout Europe, China, Africa, Australia, and
South America, even going to the Azores and Easter Island.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two newborn brothers.

Jack is survived by his wife, Arlene G (Oberg) Johnson, daughters Karin M Jackson (Greg) of Golden, Colorado and Sara K Christianson also of Golden, Colorado, and five grandchildren, Annika and Erik Jackson and Eva, Zenia and Nissa Christianson.

A celebration of his life will be held at Church of the Epiphany, Plymouth, MN on February 26th
at 10:30am with visitation at 9:30am. A private interment at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul will
follow the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Heart
Association or to Church of the Epiphany.