Justin Kirby Johnson

Justin Kirby Johnson

Born: Mon., Aug. 10, 1959

Died: Sun., Sep. 28, 2014

Justin “Ernie” Kirby Johnson, 55, of Longville, MN, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at the V.A. Medical Center in Minneapolis. He was born on August 10, 1959 the son of James and Geraldine (Johnson) Gale.

Ernie graduated from Northland High School and enlisted into the U.S. Navy when he was twenty. He was there for five years before transferring over to the Marine Corp for a year to further his medical career before he came back home. While he was in the service, Ernie traveled all over to see the world. Places he visited were Iceland, China, Thailand, Japan, Cuba, Germany, Hawaii and the Philippines.

Following the service, Ernie’s travels included; California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, and finally back to California where he took time to help out at homeless shelters. This continued everywhere he ended up. Ernie would always comment that he learned so much from the people he would meet at those shelters.

Ernie loved helping all the homeless people. He also enjoyed finding time to irritate his auntie Lorraine. Since they were the same age, this was easy to do. He even called it one of his jobs. Ernie was an old movie buff who loved watching the classics. He was also into Nascar Racing, listening to disco, and spending time with his loved ones.

Ernie was preceded in death by his dad, James, brother Alvin Gale, grandma Daisy Johnson, grandfathers Jerome Johnson and Ernest Gale. Uncle Bruce Johnson and nephew Rodney Johnson.

He is survived by his mom, Geraldine of Longville, brothers; Ron Johnson of Longville, and Darrell (Missy) Johnson of Minneapolis, aunts; Lorraine Johnson and Marlene Mitchell both of Longville, Uncles: Robert Johnson and Richard Johnson of Longville and David (Maddie) Johnson of Otsego. Special nieces; Missy, Marcy, Charlene, Angela, Tashina, and Tracie. Nephews; Matthew, Richard and Darrell Jr. and other nieces and nephews, relatives and many friends.

Visitation for Ernie will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. followed by a feast of his favorites on Friday, October 3, 2014 at the Kego Lake Center in Longville with Father Keith Bertram officiating and music by Leech Lake Nation Drum Group, which includes his favorite singers: Rodney (Hot Dog) Johnson, Andy Jackson and the Chopper Boys. Pallbearers for Ernie include Mark Pride, Eric Johnson, James Johnson, Steve Johnson, Matthew LaRoque, and Kenneth Whitebird, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Tara Burnette, Roxanne Cotton, Rhonda Burnette, Tasia Johnson, Marissa LaRose, Jerrod Johnson, all his nieces, nephews, and the rest of his family. Inurnment will be held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2014.

Ernie’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker. Online condolences for the family may be given at http://www.northernpeace.com