Johnson, Rurik John age 62, of Minnetonka, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on August 13, 2023. Peace is with those he left behind knowing he was doing some of his favorite things: vacationing in Colorado, visiting Gem/Rock shows, Art Galleries, Dinosaur and other Natural History museums and visiting relatives. Born March 25, 1961 in Granite Falls, MN to Curtis E. and Mary B. (Gunelson) Johnson, Rurik was the older brother to Bjorn and Rannveig. Spending his early years in Renville and Albert Lee, MN, 1965, the family moved to Roseville, MN in 1965 where he graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in 1979. Rurik attended Augsburg College then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he earned BA degrees in Geology and Geophysics. Not finding the dream job with his degrees, Rurik went to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to earn education credits for secondary earth science and math certification. He taught high school math in Whitefish Bay, WI in 1991 then moved back to Minnesota in 1992 where he taught earth science and math at Plymouth Middle School, in Plymouth, MN up until the time of his death. Rurik participated in various organizations, such as NASA for Educators, National Science Teachers Association, and American Geological Society. Rurik is preceded in death by his brother Bjorn V. Johnson, both sets of grandparents, John O. and Bessie E. (Gates) Johnson, and Adolph G and Evelyn T. (Burchedean) Gunelson. Rurik is survived by his parents Curtis E. and Mary B. (Gunelson) Johnson, his sister Rannveig (Dennis) Polinski, two nieces he adored, Ingrid (Brad) Groth and Greta Polinski, along with many other relatives and friends. Just as Rurik would, the family extends immense gratitude to Tammy and John Fedel (cousin and husband), Rob Franz (cousin), the Ouray, CO emergency department and Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, CO. They all were extremely helpful in getting Rurik back to Minnesota after his death. A Celebration of Life Service will be at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm (visitation 12:00), at 1465 North Victoria Street, St. Paul, MN 55117. Refreshments will follow. Condolences: crippinfuneralhome.com

Published on October 8, 2023