Ambros R. Johnson

• 
• 

Johnson, Ambros R. age 83 of Aitkin, formerly of Champlin, died Friday, May 9, 2014 at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. Ambros was born February 20, 1931 at Minneota, Minnesota the son of Magnus D. and Alida M. (Amundson) Johnson. He grew up and attended schools in Minneota graduating from high school in 1949. He then enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy and was a Seabee. He served in Korea, Japan and the Philippines. Upon his discharge he returned to Minnesota and worked for Wangsted Bros. as a carpenter in Minneapolis. He married Sonja "Sunny" L. Olson on April 28, 1956 in Minneapolis. They lived in Brooklyn Center for a time and then moved to Champlin, MN where they raised their family in a historic old home that they restored to its former grandeur. He worked as the head carpenter for the IDS Properties for many years and was affectionately known as "Bros the Carpenter."In 1961 he found property on Tame Fish Lake near Aitkin and built a cabin and his family spent many weekends and summers at the lake. In 1998 he retired to the lake and has lived here since. He was a 50 year member of the Carpenters Local 1644, had been involved in scouting and had served as a Cub Scout Master and a Boy Scout Leader. He was very active in his community and served on the Champlin Planning Commission and also served on the City Council. He was honored by being the first recipient of the Fr. Hennepin award. He was very active in the DFL and had served as a state delegate. He was a lifetime member of the Champlin American Legion Post 600. He loved to garden and had beautiful gardens every year. He was also a true craftsman having made many of the furnishings and furniture for his home. He always stood up for social justice. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and was a best friend to many. His motto was "Be Something." He is survived by his wife Sonja "Sunny" Johnson of Aitkin; children: Paul Johnson and Lisa Marie Davison of San Francisco, CA; Lisa and Maurice Slepica of Deerwood; Peter and Lynn Johnson of Robbinsdale, MN; Ann and Kurt Kisch of Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren: Randy Johnson, Athena Johnson, Veronica Johnson, Merrill "Ace" (Amanda) Slepica, Tyler (Laura Hanson) Moe-Slepica, Josef Slepica, Alex Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Kamilla Kisch, Konrad Kisch, Kenrick Kisch; great-grandchildren: Thaddeus and Dominik; sister: Rebecca Bell of Sheridan, Wyoming. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother Daniel & 4 sisters: Ethel, Rachel, Mildred and Ellen. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 3:00 PM from First Lutheran Church with Rev. Darrell Pedersen officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to the 3 PM service time Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in the Bennettville Cemetery at a later date. Military honors will be provided by the Aitkin VFW and American Legion Posts. Arrangements with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin. srtfuneral.com

Published on May 11, 2014